A first-year B.Tech Computer Science student from Nepal was found dead in her hostel room at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Bhubaneswar, on Thursday evening. This marks the second such death of a Nepalese student at the university in less than three months, intensifying concerns over the safety and well-being of international students on campus.
The student, a native of Birgunj—around 135 km from Kathmandu—was found hanging from the ceiling fan in her hostel room, police confirmed. University authorities and local police were informed around 8:00 pm, following which forensic teams arrived to examine the scene.
Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Police Commissioner Suresh Dev Datta Singh said the matter is currently being treated as a suspected suicide, pending the post-mortem report.
“Today, we have received information that a girl from Nepal has died by suicide at the KIIT University. We reached there and investigated the matter. A detailed investigation will be conducted into the matter. The scientific team arrived, and all the necessary details were collected. Her family has been informed. The body has been sent to AIIMS for the post-mortem,” Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Police Commissioner Suresh Dev Datta Singh said.
In response to the incident, security has been stepped up around the campus, particularly given its similarity to a previous tragedy. On February 16, Prakriti Lamsal, a third-year B.Tech student and fellow Nepalese national, was found dead in her hostel room under similar circumstances. That incident had led to widespread protests by the Nepalese student community and criticism of the institution.
Later investigations revealed that Ms Lamsal had filed a complaint with the university’s International Relations Office alleging sexual harassment by a fellow student. The university failed to take prompt action on the matter, which drew sharp criticism from students and civil society. The National Human Rights Commission of India condemned the university’s delay, calling it “gross negligence.” The accused student was arrested one day after her death.
The latest death has reignited debates over student safety, mental health support, and the university’s responsibility towards its international student community.
