Fri Mar 28 09:59:56 UTC 2025: ## NHRC Finds Gross Negligence in KIIT Student’s Death, Demands Action

**Bhubaneswar, March 28, 2025** – The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has found gross negligence on the part of Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) authorities in the death of Prakriti Lamsal, a 20-year-old Nepalese B.Tech student. The NHRC, which conducted an on-site investigation following Lamsal’s death on February 16th, 2025, has demanded an action taken report within four weeks from the Odisha government, UGC, and NAAC.

The NHRC report reveals that Lamsal had filed a complaint with KIIT’s International Relations Office (IRO) on March 12th, 2024, alleging blackmail by a male engineering student. The commission deemed the IRO’s and university authorities’ response to be grossly negligent, potentially amounting to abetment to suicide. The report also highlighted the chaotic evacuation of nearly 1,100 students, including 180 women, from hostels the day after Lamsal’s death, citing a lack of concern for student safety. KIIT’s dismissive response to the allegations was described as “sheer insensitivity, if not downright arrogance.”

The NHRC has directed the Odisha Chief Secretary and Khurda district officials to submit an action taken report, addressing not only Lamsal’s death but also past concerns regarding living conditions at the affiliated Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), raised by the Child Welfare Committee in 2017. The Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Police Commissionerate is also required to submit an updated investigation report. Furthermore, the UGC is to consider action against KIIT and KISS for potential guideline violations, and the NAAC is to examine the matter.

Following Lamsal’s death, Nepalese students protested, leading to alleged assaults and forced evictions. The Odisha Police have arrested a male engineering student for alleged abetment to death and 10 KIIT employees for assaulting Nepalese students. The Odisha government has formed a high-level committee to investigate the incident, and the issue has been raised in the state assembly. However, neither the Odisha government nor KIIT has yet responded to the NHRC’s findings and directives. The incident sparked nationwide outrage and intervention from the Nepalese Prime Minister.

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