A second Nepali student has allegedly died by suicide at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, on May 1, 2025, less than three months after a similar tragic death of another Nepali student on the same campus.
The latest victim, an 18-year-old first-year B.Tech computer science student from Birgunj, Nepal, was found hanging in her hostel room in the evening. Bhubaneswar Police Commissioner Suresh Dev Datta Singh confirmed that investigations are underway, with forensic analysis of the student’s mobile phone and laptop in progress. The student’s family and the Nepal Embassy have been informed.
In response to the alarming recurrence, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has constituted a four-member fact-finding panel to probe both deaths and assess KIIT’s student welfare and mental health support systems. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Odisha government have expressed deep concern and assured full cooperation with the ongoing investigations.
Renewed Concerns Over Student Safety and Mental Health at KIIT
The discovery of the young student’s body has once again brought to the forefront serious concerns about the safety, mental health, and wellbeing of international students at KIIT, which hosts over 1,000 Nepali students. Police officials have launched a detailed inquiry, interviewing friends, hostel staff, and university authorities to ascertain the circumstances leading to the alleged suicide.
Forensic experts are examining electronic devices to uncover any clues. This incident closely follows the February 16, 2025, death of 20-year-old Nepali student Prakriti Lamsal, who allegedly took her own life after facing alleged blackmail and racial harassment by a fellow student and some faculty members.
The accused, Advik Shrivastava, was arrested while allegedly attempting to flee the state. The university faced widespread criticism for its handling of the crisis, including a controversial directive ordering Nepali students to vacate the campus, which was later revoked following diplomatic intervention by India’s MEA and Nepal’s Prime Minister.
The Odisha government and KIIT administration have pledged full cooperation with law enforcement and reiterated their commitment to ensuring student safety and mental health support.
Background: Previous Incident Sparks National and Diplomatic Outcry
The February tragedy involving Prakriti Lamsal had exposed systemic issues within KIIT regarding student welfare, cultural sensitivity, and administrative accountability. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) held the university responsible for lapses in protecting the student’s dignity and rights, highlighting allegations of sexual harassment and institutional negligence.
Following protests by Nepali students and diplomatic pressure from Nepal, the Odisha government formed a high-powered committee to investigate alleged misconduct by university officials during the unrest. KIIT has since taken steps to stabilise campus life, including establishing a 24/7 control room dedicated to Nepali students, disciplining implicated staff members, and ensuring uninterrupted academic activities amid multiple national and international events hosted on campus.
Despite these measures, the recent death has raised questions about the effectiveness of these reforms and the urgent need for more robust mental health resources and cultural inclusivity programs.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The recurrence of such heartbreaking incidents at KIIT University is a stark reminder that educational institutions must urgently prioritise comprehensive mental health support, cultural empathy, and safe environments for all students, especially those from vulnerable international communities.
Universities are not just centres of academic learning but also spaces where young individuals seek belonging, security, and dignity. It is imperative that institutions foster open dialogue, transparent accountability, and sustained efforts to build inclusive campuses where every student feels valued and protected.
The Logical Indian urges policymakers, educational authorities, and campus administrations to collaborate closely with student groups and mental health experts to implement preventive measures that address the root causes of distress and discrimination.
How can universities, governments, and communities work together more effectively to safeguard the wellbeing and dignity of international students, ensuring that no young life is lost to despair on campuses in the future?
