Tensions have escalated at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar following the tragic death of Prakriti Lamsal, a 20-year-old Nepali student pursuing a B.Tech degree in Computer Science. On the evening of February 16, she was discovered dead in her hostel room, reportedly having died by suicide. Her death has sparked widespread outrage among students, particularly those from Nepal, who have accused the university of negligence and mishandling previous complaints of harassment against the accused.
The Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Police Commissioner, Suresh Dev Datta Singh, confirmed that a fellow student had been arrested in connection with Lamsal’s death. The accused, Advik Srivastava, a third-year Mechanical Engineering student at KIIT, was taken into custody and subsequently remanded to judicial custody under charges of abetment of suicide.
Allegations of harassment and institutional apathy
According to the police investigation and complaints from Lamsal’s cousin, Siddhant Sigdel, she had been facing continuous harassment from Srivastava. The FIR states that she had formally reported his behaviour to the university’s International Relations Office (IRO), but authorities allegedly failed to take meaningful action beyond issuing a mere warning. Some reports suggest that Srivastava was blackmailing her, and an audio clip surfaced online in which a male voice—allegedly belonging to Srivastava—was heard abusing and harassing a female voice.
On the day of Lamsal’s death, Srivastava was reportedly detained outside Biju Patnaik International Airport while allegedly attempting to leave Bhubaneswar. A flight ticket in his name, scheduled for February 16, was found, leading to speculation that he was attempting to flee the city after the incident. The police have since seized Lamsal’s mobile phone and laptop for forensic examination.
A https://t.co/HB58fQ4pSt third-year student from Nepal at KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, died by suicide in her hostel after enduring multiple instances of harassment and molestation from her ex-boyfriend, Advik Srivastava.
— Lokesh Bag (@lokeshbag67) February 17, 2025
Student protests and institutional negligence
Following Lamsal’s death, the university campus saw an outpouring of grief and anger, with both Nepali and Indian students joining protests against the university authorities, accusing them of ignoring Lamsal’s earlier complaints. Hundreds of students gathered outside the college gates, demanding justice and accountability.
Instead of addressing the grievances of its students, KIIT chose to issue a sudden notice instructing all Nepali students to vacate the campus immediately. While the university claimed this was done to ensure their safety, multiple students have alleged that they were forcibly removed from their hostels and transported to the Cuttack railway station without any travel arrangements. Reports from The Hindu indicate that over 500 Nepali students were made to leave in university buses, many without confirmed train tickets. Some students claimed that hostel staff physically forced them to vacate their rooms and resorted to intimidation when they protested.
A callous administration’s response
KIIT’s administration has been widely criticised for its handling of the situation. Registrar Dr. Jnyana Ranjan Mohanty attempted to downplay the incident, stating that Lamsal’s death was due to a “strained relationship” rather than prolonged harassment. This response was met with anger from students and critics, who viewed it as an attempt to dismiss the allegations against the accused and the university’s own role in ignoring Lamsal’s previous complaints.
The administration’s decision to evacuate Nepali students further exacerbated tensions. Instead of ensuring their protection or engaging in dialogue, the university effectively displaced its international students overnight. The abrupt eviction not only disrupted their education but also signalled that the university was more interested in damage control than addressing student concerns.
International attention and diplomatic intervention
The incident has garnered international attention, prompting Nepal’s Prime Minister, KP Sharma Oli, to intervene. He acknowledged the death of Lamsal and the alleged forced eviction of Nepali students, stating that the Nepalese government was addressing the matter through diplomatic channels. Two officers from the Nepalese Embassy in New Delhi were dispatched to Bhubaneswar to counsel affected students and facilitate their safe return home if necessary.
The Embassy of India in Kathmandu also expressed condolences over Lamsal’s death and assured cooperation in ensuring justice. Following diplomatic discussions, KIIT publicly urged Nepali students to return to campus, promising that their academic activities would not be disrupted. However, this statement did little to quell the outrage, as students remained distrustful of the university’s commitment to their safety.
KIIT later issued a public appeal urging Nepali students who had already left or were considering leaving to return to campus and resume their classes. This followed a formal communique from Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which stated that its embassy in India had successfully requested KIIT to accommodate Nepali students and ensure an “independent and impartial” investigation into Prakriti Lamsal’s death.
In a statement quoted by The Hindu, KIIT assured that normal academic activities would soon resume and that Nepali students’ education would not be disrupted. “The students are encouraged to return to campus and will continue their academic activities without any disturbances,” the university stated.
APPEAL!
There was an unfortunate incident which took place late in the evening yesterday on the KIIT campus. Immediately after the incident, police investigated the matter and apprehended the culprit.
The KIIT administration has taken all-out efforts to restore normalcy in the… pic.twitter.com/0o3vFs2TWi
— KIIT – Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (@KIITUniversity) February 17, 2025
Were Nepali students forcibly evicted?
KIIT claimed that Nepali students were sent home to prevent further unrest on campus. However, several students alleged they were forcibly removed from their hostels and transported to Cuttack Railway Station against their will.
A university official, speaking to PTI, confirmed that the police had sealed Lamsal’s hostel room and placed her body in the mortuary, awaiting the arrival of her family. Meanwhile, some students shared their distressing experiences, with one telling PTI, “We were asked to vacate our hostel rooms and were dropped at the railway station. We had exams scheduled for February 28…”
#WATCH | Odisha: A https://t.co/jHgpcuG1h1 third-year girl student from Nepal was found dead in KIIT University (Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology) hostel in Bhubaneswar on 16th February. As per a notice issued by the University, the institute is hence closed sine die… pic.twitter.com/vVfgY140up
— ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2025
As per The Hindustan Times, the Nepali students alleged that they were forced to head for their homes without any travel arrangement. “No train tickets or any directions have been provided to us. We were just loaded up on the hostel buses, sent to Cuttack railway station and ordered to leave for our homes at the earliest. The staff members entered the hostel, made us vacate and even hit those who were not vacating quickly,” claimed a student from Nepal.
Lamsal’s tragic death and the subsequent handling of the case highlight systemic failures within KIIT’s administration. The university’s reluctance to act on complaints of harassment, its inadequate response to a student’s suicide, and the hasty eviction of international students suggest a lack of accountability and empathy. Rather than taking decisive steps to ensure student safety and justice, the institution prioritised its reputation, attempting to neutralise the situation through forced removals and public relations tactics.
This case raises broader concerns about how universities handle cases of harassment and abuse. It underscores the urgent need for stronger mechanisms to address complaints of harassment, provide mental health support, and hold institutions accountable for their inaction.
While the police investigation is ongoing, the role of KIIT in enabling a culture of impunity cannot be overlooked. Universities must be places where students feel safe and heard—not silenced or expelled when they demand justice. The handling of this case should serve as a wake-up call, not just for KIIT but for educational institutions across India, to prioritise student welfare over institutional reputation.
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