Nepali Student Suicide Case At KIIT: Odisha Government Arrests Security Guards, Suspends Officials Amid Rising Diplomatic Tensions

Indian Embassy in Nepal informed about the action taken by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Odisha government in the alleged suicide case of a 20-year-old Nepali student at KIIT University, Bhubaneshwar.

Security guards who misbehaved with the Nepali students when the University had asked the latter to leave the campus have been arrested, while the erring officials involved have been suspended.

"The institution has been placed under notice, and appropriate legal and administrative action shall follow based on the findings of the High-Level Fact-Finding Committee constituted by the Government," the statement said.

"The Committee consists of Addl. Chief Secretary, Home Department, Principal Secretary, Women and Child Development Department, and Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Higher Education Department as Members," it added.

"Reports of misconduct, including the use of force against students by private individuals, are being investigated, and those responsible shall be held accountable as per the law," the statement said assuring the safety, dignity, and well-being of every student.

Earlier, on Monday (17 February), the accused student, Advik Shrivastava was arrested when he was trying to leave Bhubaneshwar after the alleged suicide of Nepali girl Prakriti Lamsal.

Following Lamsal’s death, over 500 Nepali students erupted in protest, blocking roads and accusing KIIT of ignoring her complaints. The university responded by ordering all Nepali students to vacate the campus indefinitely on 17 February.

The eviction of Nepali students quickly escalated into a diplomatic issue, prompting Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to raise concerns. In a statement on Facebook and X, he condemned the "forced eviction" and urged the Indian government to intervene.

In response, the Odisha government stepped in, instructing KIIT to reverse its decision. The university then issued a statement urging Nepali students to return and assuring them that academic activities would resume as normal.