Nepal seeks transparent inquiry after another student found dead in KIIT in Odisha
KATHMANDU, May 3: The death of another Nepali student under suspicious circumstances at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India in less than three months has raised critical questions regarding the safety of foreign students.
Prisha Sah, a first-year student from Nepal, was found dead at KIIT on Thursday evening, sparking shock and grief among her peers. The cause of her death has yet to be confirmed, with authorities launching a formal investigation.
Sah, 18, from Birgunj, was found hanging in her hostel room at KIIT. She had attended classes earlier that day, and her classmates recall her being present in the morning session of a C programming class. According to a fellow Nepali student, Sah appeared normal and had even asked her friends for notes after the class, indicating she was engaged with her studies. However, she did not show up for the practical class or the viva session later that evening.
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“Since skipping the viva is common among students, no one immediately thought it was odd that she was absent,” said a fellow student. Sah had been living alone for some time, as her Indian roommates had already finished their exams and returned home. While her classmates recall that she seemed fine and had even talked about returning home soon, her sudden death has left everyone shaken.
“There was no indication of stress or anything unusual. She was always friendly and communicative,” the student added. According to the student, Sah had even asked her friends to book a ticket for her to return home after the semester.
Upon discovering her body, the KIIT administration immediately alerted the local authorities. Police have launched an investigation, media reports said, adding that the post-mortem will take place once Sah’s family arrives in Bhubaneswar from Birgunj. Her parents, who were informed of the tragedy, are traveling to India for the procedures.
The incident has raised serious concerns about the safety and well-being of Nepali students studying in India. Students, parents, and various student organizations have demanded a thorough and transparent investigation into the cause of Sah’s death. Many have also questioned the university's security protocols and the role of the administration in ensuring students’ safety and welfare.
This incident follows another tragic event earlier this year. On February 16, Prakriti Lamsal, a 20-year-old Nepali student from Rupandehi, was found dead in her hostel room at KIIT. Prakriti had allegedly been harassed by a fellow student. Reports indicated that she had complained several times about the abusive student but the university administration failed to act. Her tragic death had sparked a wave of protests and calls for accountability, especially after it was revealed that the university had failed to adequately address her concerns.
The recurrence of such incidents has led many to question the safety measures in place for international students, particularly Nepali students who make up a significant portion of the student body at KIIT. The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), a student body in Odisha, has called for immediate action from the authorities, criticizing the state government’s inaction despite the seriousness of the incidents.
In response to Sha’s death, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement expressing condolences and offering full support to the deceased student’s family. The ministry emphasized its commitment to the safety and security of international students, stating that the Odisha state government and local police were working closely with Nepali authorities to investigate the matter.
Nepal’s Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba confirmed that diplomatic efforts had been initiated to ensure a thorough investigation into the incident, in coordination with the Indian government and the Nepali embassy in Delhi.
“We are in constant touch with the Odisha government and KIIT management to ensure that the investigation is carried out properly and swiftly,” said Deuba.
