Nepalese Student Dies at KIIT—Second Shocking Case Sparks Outrage
Second Nepalese Student Found Dead at KIIT in 90 Days
Another Shocking Death Sparks Protests, Demands for Transparency and Safety
KIIT University, Bhubaneswar |May 1, 2025
In a deeply disturbing repeat of a tragedy, an 18-year-old Nepalese girl was found dead in her hostel room at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Bhubaneswar, on Thursday evening. The young woman, a first-year B.Tech Computer Science student from Birgunj, Nepal, was discovered hanging from the ceiling fan—just under three months after a similar death of another Nepalese student on the same campus.
A Second Life Lost: What Happened
Student Found Hanging in Hostel Room
The student’s body was found in a girls’ hostel around 8:00 PM. She had enrolled at KIIT only a few months ago and was living away from her family, more than 1,000 kilometers from home. The cause of death is suspected to be suicide, but authorities say the truth will only be confirmed after the post-mortem report from AIIMS Bhubaneswar.
“We received information about the death and launched an investigation immediately. The scientific team has collected all necessary evidence. Her family has been informed,” said Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Police Commissioner Suresh Dev Datta Singh.
A forensic team and local police have sealed the area and launched a probe. Meanwhile, security has been tightened on campus.
Tragedy Repeats Itself: The First Case That Sparked Outrage
February 16 Incident Still Fresh in Memory
This is not an isolated tragedy. On February 16, 2025, Prakriti Lamsal, a 21-year-old third-year B.Tech student, also from Nepal, was found dead under similar circumstances. She had reportedly complained of sexual harassment by a fellow student and had formally approached the university’s International Relations Office (IRO).
However, no immediate action was taken, leading to accusations of gross negligence. Her death sparked protests from the Nepalese student community, drawing the attention of the National Human Rights Commission of India, which condemned the university’s failure to act.
The accused student in Prakriti’s case was arrested one day after her death.
Students and Families Demand Answers
Anger and Fear Among International Students
Thursday’s tragedy has intensified fears among the international student community, particularly those from Nepal. Student groups are now calling it a “disturbing pattern” that exposes deep flaws in the university’s student welfare system.
“Two Nepali girls in the same hostel have died in 90 days. This can’t be a coincidence. If there’s negligence or suppression of complaints, those responsible must be held accountable,” said Samar Bahadur, a spokesperson for the Akhil Bharat Nepali Ekta Samaj.
Protests Begin on Campus
Groups of students gathered outside hostels overnight, demanding safety reforms, mental health support, and stronger grievance redressal mechanisms. Though the protests have been peaceful, police presence has increased on and around the KIIT campus.
The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has also joined the call for a transparent probe, warning that any attempt to suppress facts will not be tolerated.
“The administration cannot stay silent. We want full transparency and accountability,” said an ABVP representative.
Government and Diplomatic Responses
Odisha Govt Offers Condolences, Promises Investigation
The Odisha Department of Information and Public Relations released a statement saying the state government is deeply saddened and will support the bereaved family.
“We assure a thorough investigation into the incident. The family has been informed, and all necessary steps are being taken,” the statement read.
Nepal’s Foreign Ministry Steps In
The death has drawn attention at the highest diplomatic levels. Nepal’s Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba took to social media to confirm that the Nepali Embassy in Delhi has been asked to engage with both the Indian central and Odisha state governments.
“Diplomatic channels have been activated to investigate the incident. We are deeply saddened by this death,” Deuba wrote.
What Is KIIT Saying
Silence from the University Administration
KIIT University, founded by former MP Achyuta Samanta, has not yet issued a formal statement about the second student death. The silence is fueling further criticism online and on the ground, where students and rights groups are demanding accountability.
“No university should become a place where students—especially international ones—feel unsafe or unheard,” one student said.
Key Issues Raised
Mental Health Support and Safety
Both incidents have sparked conversations about:
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Mental health services for international students
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Grievance redressal for harassment complaints
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Campus safety and surveillance
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Lack of accountability from administration
Many are now demanding the establishment of an independent inquiry commission, mental health counseling centers, and 24/7 support lines for students.
Indo-Nepal Ties at Stake
With two deaths of young Nepalese women in such a short time, these tragedies have the potential to strain educational and diplomatic ties between India and Nepal. Thousands of Nepalese students pursue education in Indian universities, and many now fear for their safety and well-being.
Diplomatic engagement and transparent investigation will be critical to maintaining trust and ensuring student safety in the future.
This back-to-back tragedy is not just a university issue—it’s a national concern. Two promising young women from Nepal have died in a foreign land, and unanswered questions remain. The silence from KIIT’s administration is no longer tenable. With mounting pressure from students, rights groups, and international diplomats, only a fair, transparent, and swift investigation can bring justice—and possibly prevent the next tragedy.
