KIIT Suicide Case: Nepal PM Steps In, Accused Arrested – Key Developments So Far
A third-year BTech student from Nepal was found dead in her hostel room, with allegations surfacing that she was harassed and blackmailed by her 21-year-old batchmate from Lucknow, Advik Srivastava. The tragic incident has led to widespread protests, diplomatic concerns, and scrutiny of the university’s handling of harassment complaints.
Allegations Against the Accused
According to reports and a complaint filed by Prakriti Lamsal’s cousin, Siddhant Sigdel, she had been subjected to continuous harassment by Srivastava, which allegedly pushed her to take her own life. Lamsal had previously reported Srivastava’s behavior to KIIT’s International Relations Office (IRO), but the university allegedly only issued a warning without taking stronger action.
Social media posts have suggested that Lamsal was being blackmailed, and an audio clip, allegedly of a conversation between her and Srivastava, went viral, with a male voice heard abusing and harassing her.
On February 16, Srivastava was detained outside Biju Patnaik International Airport while allegedly attempting to leave the city. A flight ticket from Bhubaneswar to Kolkata, dated the same day, surfaced online, raising speculation about his attempt to flee following Lamsal’s death. He has been arrested and booked under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for abetment of suicide. Authorities have also seized Lamsal’s mobile phone and laptop for forensic examination.
Student Protests and University Response
Following Lamsal’s death, over 500 Nepali students at KIIT staged protests, blocking roads and demanding justice. They accused the university of failing to act on her complaints and take preventive measures.
Videos circulating on social media showed clashes between students and university security guards. In response, KIIT initially ordered all Nepali students to vacate the campus immediately on February 17. Reports indicate that students were forcibly placed on buses and dropped at Cuttack railway station, about 30 km away, without adequate arrangements. Some lacked train tickets, while others had upcoming exams scheduled for February 28.
Allegations of racially insensitive remarks by university officials further fueled tensions. One administrator reportedly compared KIIT’s spending on students to Nepal’s national budget, a remark that was caught on video and widely condemned.
Nepalese Prime Minister’s Intervention
The eviction of Nepali students escalated into a diplomatic issue, prompting Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to intervene. He released statements on social media platforms, alleging the forced removal of Nepali students and calling on the Indian government to take action. The Nepalese Embassy in New Delhi dispatched two officials to counsel affected students and ensure their safety.
Following diplomatic pressure, the Odisha government intervened, directing KIIT to reverse its decision. The university issued a new statement inviting Nepali students to return and assured them of normal academic resumption. The Nepalese Embassy further reassured students that they could choose to stay in their hostels or return home.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities continue to investigate the case, including forensic analysis of Lamsal’s devices to verify blackmail allegations. Meanwhile, KIIT maintains that Lamsal and Srivastava were in a relationship and that her suicide may have resulted from a personal dispute—a claim strongly contested by protesting students and her family.
With diplomatic pressure, student unrest, and allegations of negligence, the case remains under intense scrutiny. The outcome of the police investigation and potential legal actions against Srivastava and university officials will shape the next developments in this case.