Bhubaneswar — A wave of concern and condemnation has swept through KIIT (Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology) University in Bhubaneswar following the suicide of a second Nepali student in less than three months. The deceased, identified as Prisha Shah, a first-year B.Tech student from Birgunj, Nepal, was discovered hanging in her room at the university’s international girls’ hostel on Thursday evening. The ABVP has condemnedthe State Government’s silence regarding this tragic incident and is demanding firm action against those responsible. The University Grants Commission (UGC)has established a fact-finding committee on Friday to investigate the suicides of Nepali female students at KIIT University. Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of the incident and issued notices to Odisha authorities.
ABVP Condemns Repeated Incidents, Demands Judicial Probe
The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad expressed deep sorrow over the suicide of yet another Nepali student, Prisha Shah, in the international hostel of KIIT (Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology). This marks the second suicide in two months, following the tragic death of student Prakriti in February. These incidents raise serious concerns about student safety, mental health, and administrative accountability within the university. This is not merely an “accident”; it is a glaring reflection of institutional failure.
Press Release : Another Suicide of a Nepali Student at KIIT is Deeply Distressing: ABVP
Odisha Government’s silence on the another Suicide of a Nepali Student at Kalinga Institute is agonising – Ensure accountability and take stern action against those held accountable: ABVP… pic.twitter.com/z9MgwA23dU
— ABVP (@ABVPVoice) May 2, 2025
The ongoing silence and inaction of the Odisha State Government regarding such incidents is utterly condemnable. This apathy reflects not only irresponsibility but also suggests a potential effort to shield the university administration and downplay the seriousness of these events. The repeated deaths of international students are generating significant outrage and distrust, both within India and across the global student community. The ABVP firmly demands that the Odisha Government treat these incidents with the utmost seriousness and promptly suspend the university authorities responsible. Furthermore, ABVP calls for an independent and impartial judicial inquiry into all suicide cases at KIIT University to uncover the underlying causes and ensure transparency. Additionally, mandatory reforms must be implemented across all universities and colleges to prioritise student safety, mental health, and welfare with immediate effect.
ABVP’s National General Secretary, Dr. Virendra Singh Solanki, stated, “ABVP stands in full solidarity with the family of the deceased student and the Nepali student community. Why is the Odisha Government still silent after the tragic deaths of two international students? Why has the university administration failed to ensure accountability? This is not mere negligence, but a case of institutionalised criminal insensitivity. If the government fails to act swiftly and ensure accountability in such highly sensitive matters, it will erode the trust of international students in educational institutions like KIIT. ABVP demands that the Odisha Government immediately initiate a fair investigation, take the strictest action against the guilty, and ensure that all higher educational institutions prioritise the safety and mental well-being of students through concrete and systemic measures.”
UGC Establishes Fact-Finding Committee
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has established a fact-finding committee to investigate the suicide cases of Nepali girl students at KIIT University in Bhubaneswar.
UGC Updates:
UGC has constituted a Fact-Finding Committee under the Chairmanship of Prof. Nageshwar Rao, Former VC, IGNOU to look into the students’ suicide cases at KIIT, Bhubaneswar and suggest measures to prevent such incidents in future. pic.twitter.com/mXnq18vVu7
— UGC INDIA (@ugc_india) May 2, 2025
The UGC has stated that the committee will recommend measures to prevent similar incidents in the future, and it is required to submit its report within ten days from the date of this announcement.
“The UGC has constituted a Fact-Finding Committee chaired by Prof. Nageshwar Rao, former Vice-Chancellor of IGNOU, to investigate the student suicide cases at KIIT, Bhubaneswar, and to suggest measures for future prevention,” said UGC Secretary Manish Joshi.
Terms of Reference (TOR) for the Committee
1.Examine the circumstances surrounding the student suicide incidents, including factors such as institutional policies, academic pressure, grievance redressal mechanisms, and student support structures.
2.Evaluate the university’s mental health support system, including counselling services, crisis intervention frameworks, faculty sensitisation programmes, and peer support initiatives.
3.Review compliance with relevant student welfare and safety regulations, including security protocols, grievance redressal mechanisms, and anti-harassment measures.
4.Conduct an on-site assessment to verify the actual implementation of student safety and well-being policies, beyond mere documented compliance.
5.Engage with stakeholders, including students, faculty, administrators, and support staff, to assess institutional culture, student experiences, and challenges faced.
6.Ensure compliance with the Guidelines for the Promotion of Physical Fitness, Sports, Student Health, Welfare, Psychological and Emotional Well-Being at Higher Educational Institutions in India.
7.Submit a detailed report with findings and recommendations to the UGC aimed at strengthening student safety mechanisms and enhancing institutional accountability.
NHRC Issues Notice, Seeks Report from Odisha Authorities
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of the death of a Nepali student at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Bhubaneswar, marking the second such incident in recent months. The NHRC has issued notices to the Chief Secretary of Odisha and the Director General of Police under Section 13 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, demanding an Action Taken Report (ATR) by 9 May.
NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo confirmed on the social media platform X that a female Nepali student allegedly died by suicide on the KIIT campus. The Commission expressed serious concern over the recurrence of such incidents, emphasising the need for stringent student safety protocols.
Yesterday, another Nepali girl student of Odisha's KIIT University committed suicide. In a similar incident last month, the NHRC investigated and issued its recommendations, pointing to procedural lapses in ensuring the safety of students.
However, the University approached the… pic.twitter.com/3JB9djKxW4
— प्रियंक कानूनगो Priyank Kanoongo (@KanoongoPriyank) May 2, 2025
“Another Nepali girl student of Odisha’s KIIT University committed suicide. In a similar incident last month, the NHRC investigated and issued its recommendations, pointing to procedural lapses in ensuring student safety. However, the University approached the Hon’ble Odisha High Court, which stayed the recommendations of the Commission. We are taking cognizance of the recent incident,” Kanoongo posted on X.
The NHRC had previously conducted an inquiry into the death of another Nepali student at the same university. The investigation revealed alleged procedural lapses by the university administration in ensuring the safety and well-being of its students. The Commission had issued a set of recommendations aimed at improving institutional accountability and safeguarding student rights.
Family and Friends in Shock
The family of the Nepali girl student from KIIT, who tragically lost her life Thursday night, arrived in Bhubaneswar on Friday. They reported that their last conversation with their daughter was at 3.00 PM yesterday, during which she seemed fine.
By 8.00 PM that same evening, they received a phone call informing them of the incident and the sad news of their daughter’s demise, said a relative of the deceased.
“We had spoken with her at around 8.00 PM. She seemed normal and spoke with us for some time. Later, we heard about her death,” expressed the parents of victim Prisha Sah.
It is worth noting that a first-year B.Tech student from Nepal was found dead at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar on Thursday evening. The deceased, identified as Prisha Shah, a resident of Birgunj, Nepal, was reportedly discovered hanging in her room at the university’s international girls’ hostel.
This incident closely follows the death of another Nepali student, 20-year-old Prakriti Lamsal, a third-year computer science student at KIIT, whose body was also found in a hostel room in February 2025. That case led to the police detaining a fellow student and sparked protests from the Nepali student community, as well as diplomatic outreach by Nepal.
