Tragic Death of KIIT Nepali Student: Protests, Arrest, and Investigation
Overview:
On February 16, 2025, Prakriti Lamsal, a 20-year-old Nepali student at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, was found dead in her hostel room. The incident, initially believed to be a suicide, has now led to allegations of harassment, student protests, and an arrest.
Allegations of Harassment:
Prakriti’s father, Sunil Lamsal, has alleged that his daughter was subjected to emotional blackmail and harassment. He believes this led her to take the extreme step.
“We have information that she was harassed and emotionally blackmailed, which led to her suicide,” he stated.
Source: Times of India, 2025Arrest and Investigation:
Following the incident, the Bhubaneswar police launched an investigation and arrested a fellow student, Advik Shrivastava, as the prime suspect. Authorities believe he played a significant role in Prakriti’s distress.
Her phone, laptop, and personal diary have been seized and sent for forensic analysis to uncover more details about her final days.
Source: The Himalayan Times, 2025Student Protests and KIIT's Response:
Over 500 Nepali students at KIIT staged protests demanding justice. The situation worsened after reports surfaced that university authorities had allegedly asked Nepali students to vacate the campus immediately.
Following widespread outrage, KIIT Vice-Chancellor Prof. Saranjit Singh issued a public apology and removed two senior officials from their posts for their mishandling of the situation.
Source: Hindustan Times, 2025Diplomatic Intervention from Nepal:
As tensions escalated, Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli directed the Nepalese embassy in New Delhi to intervene. The embassy assured Nepali students that they could return to their hostels safely and that authorities were committed to a fair investigation.
Source: NDTV, 2025Current Status and Ongoing Investigation:
As of now, the investigation is ongoing, and the university has promised full cooperation. The case has sparked discussions on student safety, mental health support, and anti-harassment policies in educational institutions.
Conclusion:
The tragic death of Prakriti Lamsal has highlighted the urgent need for better student protection mechanisms. As authorities continue their investigation, students, faculty, and the Nepalese community demand justice and reforms to prevent similar incidents in the future.
References:
Times of India. (2025). Nepal Girl’s Death: Father Alleges Harassment.
The Himalayan Times. (2025). Arrest in Nepali Student’s Death at KIIT.
Hindustan Times. (2025). KIIT V-C Apologizes, Removes Officials.
NDTV. (2025). Indian Embassy’s Message to Nepali Students.
YouTube News Report. (2025). KIIT University Student’s Death Sparks Protests.
