Tue Mar 04 11:10:01 UTC 2025: ## National Human Rights Commission Orders High-Level Probe into KIIT University Following Student’s Death
**Bhubaneswar, March 4, 2025** – The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has ordered a high-level investigation into the alleged suicide of a Nepali student at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) Deemed-to-be University in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, and subsequent alleged assault on other Nepali students.
The probe follows a complaint alleging harassment of Prakriti Lamsal, the deceased student, and negligence by the university’s International Relations Office (IRO). The complaint also alleges protests by Nepali students seeking justice were met with violence from KIIT officials and security personnel. Further accusations include exploitation of tribal students and illegal land acquisition by the institute.
The NHRC has directed its registrar (law) to lead an on-site inquiry, alongside a team including police and legal officials, with a report due by March 10, 2025. This follows an earlier directive to the Director General (Investigation) on February 28th.
KIIT University maintains that normalcy has returned to campus and that they have cooperated fully with the police investigation, taking action against errant officials. They also claim that over 400 Nepali students have returned to campus. The university issued a statement expressing concern over what it calls a negative campaign against the institution and its founder, Achyuta Samanta, refuting allegations of negligence and highlighting their cooperation with authorities and the deceased student’s family. However, the NHRC investigation will examine these claims.
First Piper 