The tragic death of a third-year Nepali student at KIIT University in Bhubaneswar has sparked widespread protests and significant unrest among Nepali students at the campus. The student’s death, which has been ruled as suicide, has led to a series of events drawing attention from both Indian and Nepalese authorities.
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Father’s Plea for Justice
The student, Sunil Lamsal’s daughter, was found dead in her hostel room, and her father has made serious allegations regarding her death. He claims that his daughter was harassed and emotionally blackmailed by a fellow student, which ultimately led to her suicide. Lamsal has confirmed that an investigation is underway, and the post-mortem report is expected to provide more clarity. According to him, both the police and university administration have been cooperating with the family, offering some hope for justice.
Unrest and Protests at the University
The news of Lamsal’s death has caused significant unrest among the over 500 Nepali students at KIIT University. Many have taken to the streets in protest, demanding justice for the deceased student. Tensions escalated when university authorities attempted to evict protesting students from campus. Reports suggest that some university officials made racially insensitive remarks during these protests, with one allegedly comparing the spending on students at KIIT to the entire national budget of Nepal. The comment was reportedly captured on video, further fueling the anger of the students.
As the protests intensified, the situation became a diplomatic issue. The Nepali government, led by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, expressed concern over the forced eviction of Nepali students and the lack of proper handling of the situation. Prime Minister Oli took to social media, including Facebook and X, to demand accountability from both the university and the Indian government.
He stated, “It has come to our attention through media and social media that a Nepali student has died in the hostel of Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) University in Odisha and that Nepali students have been forcibly evicted from the hostel. The government is working on this matter through diplomatic channels and is in contact with the relevant authorities.”
Allegations Against the Accused
The investigation into the student’s death revealed that she had been allegedly harassed and blackmailed by Advik Srivastava, a 21-year-old student from Lucknow. Reports indicate that Lamsal had previously raised concerns about Srivastava to the university’s International Relations Office (IRO), but only a warning was issued to the accused, with no further action taken. This has raised questions about the university’s handling of the case. Furthermore, an audio clip reportedly surfaced online, allegedly featuring verbal abuse from Srivastava, which strengthened the accusations against him.
KIIT University has claimed that the deceased and Srivastava were in a relationship and that the suicide may have resulted from a personal dispute. However, this has been met with skepticism by many, as the harassment allegations continue to dominate discussions.
Arrest and Ongoing Investigation
On February 16, 2025, Advik Srivastava was detained by authorities at Biju Patnaik International Airport while attempting to flee the country. Police had discovered a flight ticket to Kolkata, which was dated the same day. Srivastava has been arrested and charged under Section 108 of the Indian Penal Code for abetment of suicide. Authorities have also seized Lamsal’s mobile phone and laptop to conduct a forensic examination as part of the ongoing investigation.
The case has garnered widespread attention, with demands for justice growing louder from both Nepal and India. Protests continue on the KIIT University campus, as students and the family of the deceased call for accountability and a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.
Diplomatic Efforts and the Road Ahead
As the investigation continues, the involvement of Nepal’s government in this case signals the growing diplomatic importance of the issue. With both public and governmental pressure mounting, KIIT University and Indian authorities face increasing scrutiny over their handling of the case and the allegations of mistreatment of Nepali students on campus.
The tragic death of Sunil Lamsal’s daughter has sparked a significant outcry, and as both countries navigate the diplomatic implications, the demands for justice remain at the forefront of this unfolding situation.
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