A tragic incident at Odisha’s Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) has sparked student protests, arrests, and even diplomatic tensions between India and Nepal. The death of 20-year-old Nepali student Prakriti Lamsal has not only raised questions about campus safety but also put the university under intense scrutiny.
Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of what happened, the key developments, and the ongoing repercussions.
On February 17, 2025, Prakriti Lamsal, a third-year B.Tech (Computer Science) student, was found dead in her hostel room at KIIT, Bhubaneswar. Initially registered as a suicide, the case quickly escalated as students protested, demanding an inquiry into the circumstances leading to her death.
Following her death, an audio clip surfaced in which a man, allegedly identified as Advik Shrivastava, a 21-year-old B.Tech (Mechanical) student, verbally abused and coerced Prakriti into apologizing while she sobbed.
Nepali students accused the university administration of ignoring Prakriti’s previous complaints about abuse. The viral audio clip intensified the unrest, with demands for immediate action against Advik.
A day after Prakriti’s death, Odisha Police arrested Advik Shrivastava from Bhubaneswar Airport and charged him with abetment of suicide.
Meanwhile, Prakriti’s body underwent a post-mortem at AIIMS Bhubaneswar before being handed over to her family for repatriation to Nepal. Her father, Sunil Lamsal, expressed deep anguish, stating, “I sent my daughter to study here, believing she would be safe. What happened is unacceptable.”
In response to the allegations and lack of immediate action from KIIT, Nepali students staged protests within the university premises. Instead of addressing their concerns, the administration allegedly used force against the demonstrators.
Videos circulating online showed security personnel and senior university officials physically assaulting students. Two officials were also caught making derogatory remarks about Nepal, one of whom claimed that KIIT’s budget surpassed Nepal’s GDP.
In an unexpected move, KIIT issued a notice directing all Nepali students to vacate the campus immediately. University buses transported them to Cuttack railway station, leaving them stranded. This decision was met with widespread criticism, including from the Odisha government.
“The university is closed Sine Die for all international students from Nepal. They must vacate the premises immediately on February 17,” the university’s statement read.
Many students were left confused and distressed, with no prior notice or support system in place.
Following public outrage and pressure, the Odisha government stepped in. On February 20, it formed a three-member fact-finding committee to investigate:
The circumstances of Prakriti’s death.
The alleged mishandling of student protests.
The forced eviction of Nepali students.
Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj admitted that the KIIT administration had failed to notify the government about the incident and assured that legal action would follow based on the committee’s findings.
Besides Advik, Odisha Police arrested six individuals, including:
Sibananda Mishra (Director General, HR)
Pratap Kumar Chamupaty (Director, Administration)
Sudhir Kumar Rath (Director of Hostels)
Two security guards (Jogendra Behera and Ramakanta Nayak)
Separate cases have been filed – one for Prakriti’s death and another for the violent crackdown on protesting students.
As outrage grew, KIIT officials issued apologies. Faculty member Manjusha Pandey, who made controversial remarks about Nepal’s economy, released a statement saying, “My words were spoken in the heat of the moment. If they hurt the sentiments of Nepali students, I sincerely apologize.”
KIIT also dismissed two officials involved in making inflammatory remarks, though it did not disclose their names. The university urged Nepali students to return, promising safety and support.
However, the Nepalese government issued a stern warning, threatening to halt No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for students seeking admission to universities in Odisha unless justice was served.
Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli personally intervened, stating that his government was working through diplomatic channels to ensure the safety of Nepali students in India. The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu also assured Nepalese authorities of cooperation in resolving the matter.
The KIIT controversy quickly became a political issue in Odisha:
Congress demanded a judicial inquiry.
The ruling BJP, which recently ended BJD’s decades-long rule in the state, called for the arrest of KIIT founder Achyuta Samanta.
The BJD, in turn, blamed the BJP-led government for failing to control the situation.
MLAs across party lines condemned the incident, calling for strict action against those responsible.
As investigations continue, all eyes remain on:
The findings of the Odisha government’s fact-finding committee.
The legal proceedings against those arrested.
The response of Nepalese authorities and potential policy changes regarding Nepali students in Indian institutions.
While KIIT attempts damage control, the incident has already left a lasting impact, raising serious concerns about campus safety, student welfare, and international student policies in India.
Stay tuned on Jaano Junction for further developments as the situation unfolds.