Wed Feb 19 09:08:13 UTC 2025: ## Nepali Student’s Suicide at KIIT Sparks Outrage, Protests, and Evacuation

**Bhubaneswar, India** – The suicide of a third-year B.Tech Nepali student at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar has ignited widespread protests and accusations of harassment. Following the student’s death on Sunday, dozens of Nepali students staged demonstrations demanding a thorough investigation and the arrest of the alleged perpetrator, Advik Srivastava, who has since been detained.

Police have confirmed that Srivastava is accused of abetting the suicide. Students allege the victim had been harassed for months by Srivastava, her rumoured ex-boyfriend, and that their complaints to the university’s international relations department were ignored. The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Pinak Mishra, confirmed a case has been registered.

The incident has escalated into a diplomatic matter, with the Indian Embassy in Nepal assuring a comprehensive inquiry and pledging continued support for Nepali students in India. Nepal’s Prime Minister, KP Sharma Oli, also acknowledged the situation and stated his government is working to address it diplomatically. Two Nepali officials have been deployed to assist students.

However, the situation took a controversial turn when KIIT issued conflicting notices. Initially, a notice ordered all Nepali students to leave the campus immediately. Students reported being forcibly evacuated, with some alleging physical altercations with staff. Anil Prasad Yadav, a Nepali student, described being forced to leave without food or adequate time to arrange transport. Rajan Gupta corroborated these accounts, alleging violence against students who resisted evacuation.

Subsequently, KIIT issued another notice urging students to return and resume classes, stating efforts were made to restore normalcy. The university claims that despite 10 hours of counseling, some protestors disrupted campus and blocked roads, leading to the evacuation order. KIIT has since opened a 24-hour control room and helpline to assist Nepali students returning to campus and has promised to cover any academic losses incurred.

The Odisha state higher education minister, Suryabanshi Suraj, stated that the government is arranging buses to transport the students back to Bhubaneswar. Protests have also taken place outside the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu, further highlighting the international dimension of this tragedy. Police remain stationed at KIIT to maintain order. The victim’s body is being held in the mortuary awaiting collection by her family.

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