Suicide of Nepali Student at KIIT University

On February 16, 2025, Prakriti Lamsal, a 20-year-old Nepali computer science student at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Odisha, India, was found dead in her hostel room. Authorities ruled her death a suicide. She had reportedly endured prolonged harassment from fellow student Advik Srivastava and left behind messages alleging coercion. KIIT administration initially portrayed the incident as a private relationship matter, delaying notification to her family and the Nepali embassy. Outraged Nepali students protested on campus but were forcibly evicted by university staff, escalating tensions. The case triggered a diplomatic crisis; Nepal's prime minister summoned the Indian ambassador demanding a transparent probe. Odisha Police arrested Srivastava on charges of abetment to suicide. KIIT's vice-chancellor and several officials were suspended for gross mishandling. The incident exposed severe gaps in safeguarding international students in Indian higher education.

As of mid-2025, criminal trial proceedings against Advik Srivastava remain pending. KIIT's vice-chancellor and several officials were placed under suspension pending an administrative inquiry. Odisha Police investigation and a separate fact-finding committee probe are ongoing; no final court verdict has been delivered.

Whether KIIT concealed prior harassment complaints and deliberately avoided timely official reporting; the legality of mass eviction and suspension of Nepali students protesting peacefully; the sufficiency of digital evidence and messages to establish abetment to suicide against the accused; allegations of systemic neglect and discriminatory treatment toward Nepali students by the institution.

The suicide ignited widespread protests across Nepal, with public calls to boycott Indian educational institutions. Nepal-India diplomatic relations became strained, prompting high-level meetings and travel advisories. KIIT suffered severe reputational damage and a sharp decline in international student enrollment. Indian universities faced renewed pressure to establish robust anti-harassment cells, mental health support, and grievance redressal mechanisms specifically for foreign students.