Bhubaneswar: The alleged suicidal death of a Nepalese female student in KIIT on last evening reached at National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) within 24 hours.
The NHRC has received a complaint about the incident and registered a case in this regard. However, hearing has not conducted yet.
NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo, in a post on social media platform ‘X’ said, “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 Orissa High Court and the Court stayed the recommendations of the Commission. “We are taking cognizance of the recent incident,” he added.
Similarly, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has also expressed deep sorrow over the tragic death of a Nepali student at KIIT University here.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic demise of a Nepali student of KIIT University, Bhubaneswar. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family during this difficult time,” the MEA said.
Offering heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, the MEA stated it has been in constant communication with the Odisha State Government since the incident came to light.
It further said that the State Government has extended full support to the family, and a thorough investigation is currently being carried out by the Odisha Police.
“Government of India takes the safety, security and well-being of all international students very seriously. We remain in close contact with the Nepali authorities, the Odisha State Government as well as KIIT management to ensure real-time communication and coordination in this matter,” the MEA said.
Nepal’s Ambassador Dr. Shankar P. Sharma has requested Chief Minister and the Chief Secretary to ensure a thorough investigation into the incident, according to an official statement.
“The incident of Prisa Sah, a Nepali student studying at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) University in Odisha, India, being found dead in her hostel room has left us deeply saddened. I pray for the eternal peace of Prisa’s soul and express my deepest condolences to her family at this sad hour,” Nepal’s Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba said in a post on X.
Commenting on the incident, Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan said that legal procedures have begun with police officials initiating investigation into the death of the student.
“Action will be taken only after preliminary investigation,” he said.
Similarly, Revenue and Disaster Minister Suresh Pujari termed the incident as unfortunate and said, “Youngsters are being driven toward suicide, which is a matter of concern. The Odisha government is seriously reviewing the incident.”
The body of the BTech computer science student, Prisa Sah, was recovered from her hostel room at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) last evening.
The incident comes barely two-and-a-half months after Prakriti Lamsal, another Nepalese student of the same institute, died by suicide on February 16.
The death of the Nepalese student in February had triggered protests after reports suggested that the victim was allegedly blackmailed, and she ended her life for not getting justice from the private university authorities.
There was an outcry on the KIIT campus as the institute authorities, with the help of staffers and security personnel, had allegedly assaulted Nepalese students who demanded justice for the deceased.