Nepali student found dead at KIIT hostel, second su*cide in three months

Bhubaneswar: A Nepali student was found dead in her hostel room at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) University in Bhubaneswar Thursday, marking the second alleged su*cide involving a Nepali student on campus within three months, a source said.

Infocity police have initiated an investigation into the incident. Police Commissioner S Devdutt confirmed.

This latest tragedy follows the February 16 death of 20-year-old Nepali student Prakriti Lamsal, whose suicide sparked widespread protests and allegations of institutional negligence. Lamsal had reportedly filed a sexual harassment complaint with the university’s International Relations Office in March 2024, nearly a year before her death. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) later described the university’s inaction as “gross negligence”.​

In the aftermath of Lamsal’s death, over 1,000 Nepali students were temporarily evicted from the campus amid protests, though most have since returned following assurances from the university and the Odisha government.​

The Odisha High Court has stayed NHRC proceedings against KIIT, citing a violation of natural justice after the university claimed it was not given an opportunity to be heard.​

Authorities have yet to release further details about the deceased student or the circumstances surrounding her death.

PNN

News