A third-year BTech student from Nepal was found dead in her hostel room, with allegations that she was harassed and blackmailed by her batchmate, Advik Srivastava.
The Tragic Incident
The alleged suicide of 20-year-old Nepali student Prakriti Lamsal at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar has sparked massive protests, diplomatic concerns, and scrutiny of the university’s handling of harassment complaints.
Lamsal, a third-year BTech student, was found dead in her hostel room on February 16. Reports suggest that she was harassed and blackmailed by 21-year-old fellow student Advik Srivastava from Lucknow, leading to her taking her own life.
The incident has triggered widespread outrage among over 500 Nepali students on campus. Tensions escalated when university authorities attempted to forcibly evict them, drawing diplomatic intervention from the Nepalese government and responses from Indian officials.
Allegations Against the Accused
According to reports and a complaint filed by Lamsal’s cousin, Siddhant Sigdel, she was subjected to continuous harassment by Srivastava, which allegedly led to her suicide.
- The FIR filed by Sigdel states that Lamsal had reported Srivastava’s behavior to KIIT’s International Relations Office (IRO). However, authorities allegedly failed to take strict action, issuing only a warning.
- Some social media posts have suggested that Lamsal was being blackmailed, with an audio clip purportedly featuring a conversation between her and the accused going viral. The clip allegedly contains verbal abuse and threats from a male voice.
Accused Arrested, Attempted to Flee?
On February 16, police detained Srivastava outside Biju Patnaik International Airport. Reports claim he was attempting to leave Bhubaneswar on a flight to Kolkata, as a flight ticket dated February 16, bearing his name, surfaced online.
Srivastava 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 analysis.
Student Protests & KIIT’s Controversial Eviction
Following Lamsal’s death, Nepali students at KIIT erupted in protest, blocking roads and demanding justice.
- Protesters accused the university administration of ignoring her complaints and failing to act against the accused.
- Videos on social media showed clashes between students and security guards.
- In response, KIIT declared an indefinite closure (sine die) for all Nepali students on February 17 and ordered them to vacate the campus immediately.
Follow up action! pic.twitter.com/f3oyqWPjmT
— KIIT – Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (@KIITUniversity) February 18, 2025
Reports from eyewitnesses reveal students were forcibly put on buses and dropped at Cuttack railway station, 30 km away, with no arrangements for travel. Some students did not have train tickets, while others had exams scheduled for February 28.
Racist Remarks by University Officials?
Adding to the controversy, reports surfaced alleging racially insensitive comments from university authorities.
- One KIIT official allegedly compared the university’s spending on students to Nepal’s national budget, sparking further outrage.
- This remark was reportedly caught on video, further fueling anger among students and diplomatic officials.
Nepal PM’s Intervention
The situation took a diplomatic turn when Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli issued a public statement condemning the forced eviction of Nepali students.
- In a post on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter), PM Oli urged the Indian government to intervene.
- The Nepalese Embassy in New Delhi sent two officers to KIIT to counsel affected students and ensure their safety.
Following strong backlash and diplomatic pressure, the Odisha government intervened, instructing KIIT to reverse its decision.
- The university later issued a statement urging Nepali students to return and assuring normal academic activities.
- The Nepalese Embassy reassured students that they could either stay on campus or return home as per their choice.
- Odisha’s Higher Education Minister, Suryabanshi Suraj, acknowledged KIIT’s mistake in evicting students and assured that the case was being handled with utmost seriousness.
Ongoing Investigation & University’s Defense
Authorities are now conducting a scientific examination of Lamsal’s mobile phone and laptop to verify the blackmail allegations.
However, KIIT has maintained that:
- Lamsal and Srivastava were in a relationship, and the incident may have resulted from a personal dispute.
- This claim has been strongly contested by protesting students and Lamsal’s family, who insist that harassment and blackmail drove her to suicide.
What’s Next?
With diplomatic pressure, student outrage, and allegations of negligence, the case remains under intense scrutiny.
- The outcome of the police investigation will determine further legal action against Srivastava and possible accountability for KIIT authorities.
- The incident has sparked broader conversations on student safety, harassment, and institutional accountability in Indian universities.
As the case unfolds, all eyes remain on how authorities handle justice for Prakriti Lamsal.
