Supreme Court Confronts Israeli Man Over Russian Children Found Living in Karnataka Cave

The Supreme Court demanded evidence from the petitioner to substantiate his claim of fatherhood over the two Russian children.

New Delhi:

The Supreme Court strongly questioned an Israeli man who claimed paternity of two Russian girls discovered living with their mother in a Karnataka cave. The justices asked why he had been absent while his alleged children were residing in such dire conditions. The court also expressed concern that India has "become a haven" where "anybody comes and stays."

On July 11, authorities discovered Nina Kutina, a Russian national, and her two daughters living in a cave in the Ramatirtha Hills near Gokarna. Reports indicated they had been surviving in these conditions for approximately two months without proper documentation.

Following the discovery, the Russian consulate issued emergency travel documents for Kutina and her daughters. At this point, Israeli national Dror Shlomo Goldstein filed a petition with the Karnataka High Court, asserting he was the biological father of the children and requesting that the government delay their deportation. Goldstein had previously filed a missing persons report at Panaji police station in Goa after losing contact with the children.

The Karnataka High Court dismissed Goldstein's petition, permitting the Union government to facilitate the return of Nina Kutina and her daughters to Russia. The court noted that Kutina had explicitly expressed her desire to return to Russia promptly. Additionally, the court observed that Goldstein failed to provide a convincing explanation for why Kutina and the children were living in such primitive conditions before their rescue.

This same concern emerged during today's Supreme Court hearing. Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi, examining Goldstein's challenge to the high court ruling, directly questioned his standing in the case: "What is your right? Who are you?" When Goldstein's attorney identified him as the father, Justice Kant demanded, "Please show us any official document that you are declared father... why should we not direct your deportation?" Justice Bagchi characterized the petition as "publicity litigation" and pointedly asked, "What were you doing when your children were living in a cave?" Justice Kant added, "What were you doing in Goa?"

The bench permitted Goldstein to withdraw his petition, with Justice Kant remarking, "This country has become a haven... anybody comes and stays."