A heroic rescue of a Russian woman and two daughters from a cave in Karnataka’s Gokarna has now turned into a custody battle, with her estranged Israeli boyfriend, Dror Goldstein, now coming forward to claim joint custody. The woman, Nina Kutina (40), and her children (6 and 4) were located residing in a secluded cave in the Ramatirtha hills and were rescued by police on July 9.
Goldstein, the one who lodged a missing complaint in Goa, has disclosed more about their rocky relationship. The Indian Express reports that Kutina and Goldstein met in 2017 in Goa. “We fell in love,” he said, citing how they started living together with her two sons from another man.
Claims of Financial Exploitation and Disappearing Acts
Goldstein claimed that Kutina gradually became domineering and abused him financially over time. “I gradually severed my contact with her because of her treatment towards me. I felt like I was used for money only,” he said in the complaint.
He also alleged that Kutina had refused to send the children to school and would frequently leave without telling him where she was going. In spite of this, he had kept sending money and said that he wanted to be part of the children’s upbringing.
No Intention to Separate Children From Mother, Says Goldstein
Now in India, Goldstein has gone to Tumakuru to see Kutina and the children, who are now at a rescue centre. He said, “I desire to be near my daughters, but I don’t want to remove them from their mother. Also, they are very dear to their mother.”
He also broke the news to him that he had no idea that they were staying in a cave. “I didn’t know she was living in a cave; I knew she was in Gokarna.”
Fears Over Deportation and Future Contact
Goldstein’s major concern now is that it will be hard for him to keep in touch if Kutina and the children are deported to Russia. “I just want to see my daughters a couple of times a week and take care of them, too,” he said. “So, I wish they could remain in India.”
The police informed that Kutina had gone off to meditate in the woods. Upon their rescue, FRRO went through their case and relocated them to a rescue home in Tumakuru.
