Nepali Student’s Death at KIIT University Marks Second Tragedy in Three Months
An 18-year-old Nepali female student was discovered deceased in her hostel room at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, on Thursday evening, marking the second such incident involving a Nepali student at the university within three months, police reported.
The student, identified as Prisa Sah, a first-year B.Tech student in computer science, was found hanging from the ceiling fan in her hostel room, according to Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Police Commissioner S. Dev Datta Singh. Singh stated, “Yes, the body of a girl from Nepal has been recovered. It seems that she has committed suicide at the ladies’ hostel of KIIT.” Authorities have registered the case as an unnatural death and are conducting a thorough investigation, though no suicide note was found, and the reasons for the suspected suicide remain unclear.
Nepal’s Foreign Minister, Arzu Rana Deuba, expressed profound sorrow over the loss, stating on X, “The incident of Prisa Sah, a Nepali student studying at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) University in Odisha, India, being found dead in her hostel room has left us deeply saddened.” Nepal has initiated diplomatic efforts to ensure a comprehensive probe, with the Nepalese Embassy coordinating with India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Odisha government. The MEA issued a statement on Friday, conveying condolences and emphasizing the importance of the safety and security of international students in India.
This incident follows a similar tragedy on February 16, when 21-year-old Prakriti Lamsal, a third-year B.Tech student from Nepal, was found dead in her hostel room at KIIT. Her death, also suspected to be a suicide, was linked to alleged blackmail by a classmate, sparking widespread protests by over 500 Nepali students. The unrest escalated when the university reportedly attempted to evict some students, prompting intervention from the MEA and an apology from KIIT. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) investigated the February case and held the university accountable for its handling of the situation.
The Odisha government expressed grief over the latest incident, describing it as “unfortunate,” and assured that a detailed investigation is underway. The student’s parents have been informed and are expected to arrive in Bhubaneswar on Friday, after which a post-mortem examination will be conducted at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, according to police.
The recurring tragedies have raised serious concerns about the welfare of international students at KIIT, particularly those from Nepal. The Akhil Bharat Nepali Ekta Samaj has called for a swift and transparent investigation, demanding accountability for any responsible parties. As the probe continues, authorities are examining all possible factors that may have contributed to the student’s death.