KIIT Student Suicide: Justice for Prakriti Trends As Boyfriend's Audio Clip Exposes Abuse And Harassment

A tragic incident at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar has sent shockwaves through India and Nepal. Prakriti Lamsal, a 20-year-old third-year B.Tech student from Nepal, was found dead in her hostel room on February 16, allegedly driven to suicide due to harassment and blackmail.

Audio Recording Exposes Shocking Blackmail

Alarming revelations have emerged through an audio clip, in which fellow student also ex-boyfriend Advik Srivastava can allegedly be heard blackmailing Prakriti and using offensive language while she repeatedly apologised. The leak has sparked widespread outrage, leading to student protests, diplomatic concerns, and renewed scrutiny of the university's handling of harassment complaints. However, OneIndia could not independently verify the clip.

Repeated Complaints Ignored?

Reports indicate that Lamsal had approached KIIT's International Relations Office (IRO) multiple times, raising concerns about Srivastava's harassment. However, the university reportedly responded with only counseling and a warning. Her cousin, Siddhant Sigdel, revealed that she was being blackmailed, and the now-viral audio recording has intensified public anger, putting KIIT under severe criticism.

Following Prakriti Lamsal's death, over 500 Nepali students at KIIT staged protests, blocking roads and demanding justice. In a controversial move, the university ordered all Nepali students to vacate the campus, a decision widely condemned as retaliatory and racially insensitive. The Nepalese government intervened, with Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli dispatching embassy officials to Bhubaneswar.

Under mounting diplomatic pressure, KIIT retracted its eviction order, allowing students to return to their hostels. The Odisha government also stepped in, assuring a thorough investigation and safety measures for international students.

Bhubaneswar police detained Srivastava as he allegedly attempted to flee the city. He has been arrested under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for abetment of suicide. Investigators have seized Lamsal's mobile phone and laptop for forensic analysis, hoping to gather further evidence.

The case has triggered widespread protests and diplomatic responses, with the Nepalese Embassy urging KIIT to ensure the safety of its Nepali students. Meanwhile, social media is flooded with demands for justice, with hashtags like #JusticeForPrakriti and #PunishAdvik gaining traction.