Karnataka High Court Halts Deportation of Russian Woman’s Daughters, Cites Child Rights Convention
In a significant move safeguarding the interests of children, the Karnataka High Court has issued an interim order restraining the deportation of two minor daughters of Russian national Nina Kutina, underscoring the need to prioritise their welfare in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).
Justice S Sunil Dutt Yadav passed the order during the hearing of a writ petition filed to contest a sudden deportation directive involving the children. Kutina, a 40-year-old Russian woman, was found living with her daughters, Preya (6) and Ama (4), in a forest cave in Gokarna’s Ramatirtha hills on July 11, where the family had been staying despite her visa having expired years ago.
Representing the petitioner, advocate Beena Pillai argued that the deportation process was initiated without adequate consideration for the children’s well-being and failed to adhere to international child protection standards set under the UNCRC.
The Assistant Solicitor General (ASG), appearing for the Union of India, informed the court that the children do not possess valid travel or identity documents. Taking this into account, the court observed that an immediate deportation would be inappropriate under the circumstances and could not proceed without a full legal assessment.
Justice Yadav further directed the respondents to submit a written affidavit detailing the absence of valid documents and to file their formal objections within two weeks. The court also barred any deportation action unless it is first reported to the court, effectively freezing any unilateral move by authorities until the matter is heard in detail. The next hearing is scheduled for August 18.
Kutina has previously stated that her cave-dwelling lifestyle posed no threat to her or her daughters, highlighting their self-sustained, peaceful existence in nature. While her stay in India has exceeded the permitted visa duration, the legal focus has now shifted toward ensuring child welfare, identity documentation, and due process before any further steps are taken.
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