KIIT Suicide Case: 5 University Staffers Arrested After Nepali Students Protest

Odisha Police held 5 staff members of the KIIT University, including two security personnel, in connection with the alleged suicide of Prakriti Lamsal, a Nepali student. The arrest was done after hundreds of KIIT students hit the streets in demand of a fast-track investigation, trial, and justice.

According to the police report, the security guards and university officials allegedly used force to remove protesting students from the campus. Witnesses stated that the guards verbally abused and physically assaulted the students, causing injuries. Those arrested include security guards Ramakanta Nayak and Jogendra Behera, along with three university officials. They face charges under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Protests and Diplomatic Intervention

The incident sparked widespread protests involving over 500 Nepali students across the campus. Tensions escalated when university authorities attempted to forcibly evict some students, leading to diplomatic intervention. The Vice-Chancellor later issued an apology, stating: "KIIT has always been a home to students from across the world, fostering a culture of inclusivity, respect, and care. We deeply regret the recent incident and reaffirm our commitment to the safety, dignity, and well-being of all our students, including our dear Nepali students."

Prakriti Lamsal was discovered dead in her hostel room on Sunday evening. Her friends alleged that harassment by her ex-boyfriend Advik Srivastava drove her to take her own life. Prakriti's father also accused Srivastava of "harassing and emotionally blackmailing" his daughter.

Legal Actions Taken

Following a complaint from Prakriti's brother, police filed a case against Advik Srivastava. He was arrested and charged with abetment of suicide under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Meanwhile, KIIT issued an apology on Tuesday and stated it was "actively persuading" students to return to campus.

A statement from KIIT mentioned that a dedicated control room is operational 24x7 at Campus 6 to facilitate the return of Nepali students.