KIIT Suicide Row: Nepalese students fear returning to KIIT after forced eviction over suicide protest | Bhubaneswar News

Five officials were arrested but released on bail. Most Nepalese students have relocated. Odisha government has initiated a probe into the incidents. Prakriti’s body will be flown to Nepal.

NEW DELHI: Nepalese students at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) remain fearful of returning to campus after being forcibly evicted following protests over the alleged suicide of a 20-year-old student from Nepal.
Around 1,000 Nepalese students were issued suspension notices and asked to leave on Monday after demonstrations erupted over the death of Prakriti Lamsal, whose body was found hanging in her hostel room on Sunday.
The students alleged that her earlier complaints of blackmail by a former boyfriend were ignored, leading to her suicide.

Forced eviction sparks fear

Although the Centre and Odisha government intervened, prompting KIIT to apologize and request students to return, many remain hesitant after their ordeal.
“We were forcibly put on a bus and dropped near the railway station without food or water. Now, they want us back—how can we trust them?” said Preeti, a Nepalese student.
Several students also alleged they were roughed up during the eviction, further deepening their distress.

Arrests and ongoing probe

Five KIIT officials, including institute directors, were arrested on Tuesday for allegedly harassing Nepalese students, but they were later granted bail.
A 21-year-old student was also arrested for allegedly abetting Prakriti’s suicide.
Meanwhile, Odisha’s Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj confirmed that only 100 Nepalese students remain on campus, while nearly 800 have moved to other locations, including Kolkata, Patna, and Ranchi. Many have reportedly returned to Nepal.
The Odisha government has constituted a high-level probe committee, led by the Additional chief secretary (Home), to investigate both the suicide and the university’s actions against Nepalese students.

Body to be flown to Nepal

Prakriti’s body is set to be flown to Nepal today. Her father Sunil Lamsal and family have been in Bhubaneswar for the past two days.
Meanwhile, protests outside KIIT continued, with students, youth groups, and political organisations demanding justice.

KIIT’s statement

On X (formerly Twitter), KIIT said, “Deeply mourning the untimely passing of our beloved student, Prakriti Lamsal. We stand in solidarity with her family, friends, and the student community. We are committed to ensuring justice and support for all. May her soul rest in peace.”