Deportation Of Russian Woman, Her Children Rescued From Gokarna Cave Will Take Time: Centre Tells Karnataka High Court

The Central Government has informed the Karnataka High Court on Friday (August 22) that the process for the deportation of a Russian woman and her two minor children, who were found living in a cave in the state's Uttara Kannada district (Gokarna) recently, will take some time. 

Additional Solicitor General Aravind Kamath, appearing for the Union of India informed Justice BM Shyam Prasad that the minor children and mother are in foreigners' restriction centres for women.

He submitted that all three are being well looked after and samples have been drawn for a DNA test to ascertain the maternity of the younger child, who does not have passport or any other documents. Once the maternity is ascertained the concerned persons from FRRO, will contact the counterpart in the concerned country for initiation of appropriate proceedings.

Advocate Beena P K for the petitioner Dror Shlomo Goldstein, who claims to be the father of the children, relied on the UN Convention On Rights of Children, submitted that the high court must examine whether respondents are acting in best interest of two minor children.

It was emphasized that because the petitioner is father of children, he can act in the best interest of the children.

Following which the bench said, “If there was an assurance to this court on July 23, that there was no reason for apprehending immediate deportation, the aforesaid submission also assures the court that respondents are following a process that would subserve the best interest of the child.”

It added “With the process on the deportation taking time, undeniably some more reasonable time, this court is of the view that the petition must be called on October 27...observing that the lady and two children subject to permissible orders be at the same centre.”

The court was hearing a plea by the father seeking to restrain the government from proceeding with "sudden deportation" of his minor daughters, from India to any other country.

Further he has sought a direction to the respondents to release the children from their illegal custody/detention centre and hand over the minor children to him immediately.

Case Title: Dror Shlomo Goldstein AND Union of India & Others

Case No: WP 22042/2025

Appearance: Advocate Beena P K for Petitioner.

ASG Aravind Kamath for Respondent.