A Nepali student’s tragic death at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology or KIIT University in Bhubaneswar has triggered mass protests and diplomatic intervention. The incident has not only raised concerns over student safety but also exposed alleged administrative lapses in handling harassment complaints.
Protests Erupt at KIIT After Student’s Death
#BREAKING: Nepali students protest outside the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu after mistreatment faced by students at KIIT University in Odisha, India. Prakriti Lamsal, a third-year B Tech student from Nepal, died by suicide at the University after facing molestation by a student. pic.twitter.com/iIfx78RaW5
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) February 17, 2025
On 16th February 2025, Prakriti Lamsal, a 20-year-old third-year B.Tech student from Nepal, was found dead in her hostel room. The police later arrested her batchmate, 21-year-old Advik Srivastava from Lucknow, on charges of abetment of suicide under BNS 108. The arrest came only after days of unrest on campus, during which around 500 Nepalese students staged protests, accusing the university of inaction.
Dear friends of Nepal, these b!tches don't represent Bharat. We stand in solidarity with Prakriti and all the Nepali students fighting against the KIIT administration.pic.twitter.com/bdI1sTem2q
— Indian Right Wing Community (@indianrightwing) February 17, 2025
Allegations of suspicious behavior by KIIT staff further fueled tensions, with students claiming that evidence had been tampered with before authorities arrived.
Terrible details in KIIT suicide case. Nepali student Prakriti Lamsal's suicide allegedly after mental torture by ex-boyfriend threatening her with pvt photos.Abusive audio doing rounds too. KIIT asks Nepali students to leave "for unbiased investigation". #JusticeForPrakriti pic.twitter.com/w0JJZ8l55Z
— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) February 17, 2025
The protests escalated when the university suddenly ordered all Nepalese students to vacate the campus. This decision sparked outrage and prompted direct intervention from Nepal’s PM K P Sharma Oli and the Nepal Embassy in India. Thereby, forcing KIIT to reverse its expulsion order.
Diplomatic Pressure and Nepal’s Intervention
The ex-boyfriend, Advik, who mentally harassed and abused Prakriti Lamsal, leading to her tragic death, has been arrested at Bhubaneswar Airport while trying to flee from Odisha.
Police have confirmed that he is from Lucknow, UP. pic.twitter.com/NGeFBayJzu
— Sann (@san_x_m) February 17, 2025
The university’s response to the protests only worsened the situation. Students alleged they were forcibly evicted from their hostels without proper travel arrangements or alternative accommodations. Viral videos circulating online showed university staff ridiculing protesting Nepalese students.
The Nepal Embassy in India immediately stepped in, reaching out to KIIT officials and Odisha’s state administration to ensure the safety of Nepalese students.
Nepali PM Oli personally intervened, dispatching embassy officials to counsel students. Under mounting diplomatic and public pressure, the university was forced to retract its eviction order, allowing Nepalese students to remain on campus.
What Led to Prakriti Lamsal’s Suicide?
VIDEO | Odisha: Security deployed at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar after a 20-year-old Nepali student allegedly died by suicide in her hostel.
The deceased, identified as Prakriti Lamsal, was the third-year BTech student.
(Full video available… pic.twitter.com/50s1o65WRm
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 18, 2025
According to reports, Prakriti had lodged a formal complaint with International Relations Office (IRO) at KIIT. She alleged that her former boyfriend Advik Srivastava was harassing her. However, the university took no strict action beyond issuing a verbal warning to Advik.
Social media claims suggest that Srivastava had been blackmailing her with private photos and subjected her to verbal and sexual abuse after their breakup.
Her cousin, Siddhant Sigdel, believes this relentless harassment and the university’s apathy drove Prakriti to take her own life. Police detained Srivastava outside the airport on Sunday evening, and an investigation is ongoing. Meanwhile, Prakriti’s family has arrived in Bhubaneswar to collect her body.
KIIT’s Response and Lingering Tensions
Prakriti Lamsal committed suicide at @KIITUniversity . The University is trying everything to suppress this issue.
The Ex-boyfriend Advik mentally harassed & abused her.
Cc: @CMO_Odisha pic.twitter.com/8Txn0FZCZd
— Squint Neon (@TheSquind) February 17, 2025
Initially, KIIT officials downplayed the incident. They attributed Prakriti’s death to a “strained relationship” with the accused. Some students alleged that her body was moved before the police arrived. Many suspect potential evidence was destroyed by university staff. Allegedly the university failed to report the incident in time to both the police and the victim’s parents.
Prakriti Lamsal, a BTech student from Nepal studying at KIIT in Bhubaneswar, ended her life in hostel after enduring relentless harassment and blackmail by her ex-boyfriend Advik Srivastava.
She had filed a complaint against him at KIIT International Relations Office, but no… pic.twitter.com/JiKtvLdvRB
— Anshul Saxena (@AskAnshul) February 18, 2025
Despite issuing statements pledging support for Nepalese students, the administration’s credibility remains under question.
Many students feel that the university’s failure to act on Prakriti’s complaint directly contributed to her death. This tragedy has reignited debates about student safety, institutional accountability, and the responsibility of universities in protecting students from harassment and mental distress. With Nepalese authorities closely monitoring the case, the KIIT suicide incident stands as a stark reminder of the urgent need for stricter campus policies and genuine administrative accountability.