Prakriti Lamsal (20) and visuals from student protests at KIIT.

Bhubaneswar, Odisha: A third-year B-Tech student of Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), identified as Prakriti Lamsal (20) from Nepal, allegedly died by suicide in her hostel room on Sunday evening. Her death triggered an unrest on campus with shocking details surfacing.

A complaint was filed by Prakriti’s cousin at the Infocity police station, alleging that the girl was being blackmailed by a male student from the same university, which may have led to her suicide.

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The university too confirmed the same, stating that the female student was reportedly in a relationship with another student, identified as Advik Srivastava.

Soon after the incident, several Nepali students held protests outside the campus on Sunday, demanding justice for Prakriti. The protests continued on Monday as hundreds of students blocked the main access route in front of the college. They alleged that the authorities had ignored the complaints lodged by Prakriti a month ago.

According to the students, Advik had been harassing the victim for several months. Despite reporting the matter to the international relations department of the university, nothing happened, they alleged.

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The Viral Call Recording

As the details of the tragic case unravelled, a call recording of the victim and Advik went viral. In the two-minute and 33-second-long recording, the accused can be heard hurling filthy abuses at the victim, who can be heard sobbing in the background.

Following the allegations of abetment to suicide, the male student has been taken into police custody for interrogation. According to reports, the deceased’s mobile phone, laptop, and other electronic devices have been seized for investigation.

KIIT University’s Bizarre Response

At 7:15 am on Monday, hours after Prakriti’s body was discovered by college authorities, the X handle of the university put up a post about a Badshah concert held on its premises.

As calls for justice for the victim grew, KIIT University issued a notice asking all Nepali students, over 500, to vacate the campus.

“The university is closed for all international students from Nepal. They are hereby directed to vacate the university campus today, February 17,” stated the university (deemed) in a statement.

University founder Prof. Achyuta Samanta arrived at the university to pacify protesting students. “Itna josh mein mat aao. Kuch kaaran hota, alag baat hai. Kuch bhi kaaran nahi hai… (Don’t get so excited. Had there been some reason [for the protest], that would be a different matter. There is no reason whatsoever),” said Samanta.

Videos of KIIT personal security and staff clashing with students at the campus went viral.

In its recent post, the university made an appeal. Addressing the incident as an “unfortunate incident,” the statement read, “There was an unfortunate incident which took place late in the evening yesterday on the KIIT campus. Immediately after the incident police investigated into the matter and apprehended the culprit. The KIIT administration has taken all out efforts to restore normalcy in the campus and hostels to resume the academic activities. An appeal is made to all our Nepali students who have or plan to leave the campus to return and resume the classes.

APPEAL!

There was an unfortunate incident which took place late in the evening yesterday on the KIIT campus. Immediately after the incident, police investigated the matter and apprehended the culprit.

The KIIT administration has taken all-out efforts to restore normalcy in the… pic.twitter.com/0o3vFs2TWi

— KIIT – Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (@KIITUniversity) February 17, 2025

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Nepal’s Prime Minister Addresses the Matter

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli addressed the growing issue and assured that his government has made arrangements to ensure all the Nepali students in the university are taken care of. “Our Embassy in New Delhi has dispatched two officers to counsel Nepali students affected in Odisha. Additionally, arrangements have been made to ensure they have the option to either remain in their hostel or return home, based on their preference,” said the Nepali PM in an X post.

Our Embassy in New Delhi has dispatched two officers to counsel Nepali students affected in Odisha.

Additionally, arrangements have been made to ensure they have the option to either remain in their hostel or return home, based on their preference. #Nepal #Odisha

— K P Sharma Oli (@kpsharmaoli) February 17, 2025

Meanwhile, the students have started a petition to demand justice for Prakriti. So far, the petition has gained more than 14,301 signatures.

(This news story may contain content related to suicide and suicidal behaviour. Such topics can be sensitive and may trigger emotional responses. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or behaviours, we urge you to seek help immediately. Contact your local mental health crisis hotline, a mental health professional, or a trusted person in your life. You may call 14416 or 1-8008914416 for the Tele MANAS service, a comprehensive mental health care service by the Government of India.)