A Nepali undergraduate student enrolled at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar was found dead in her hostel room on Thursday evening, marking the second such fatal incident involving a Nepali student within a span of less than three months.
According to Bhubaneswar Police Commissioner S. Devdutt Singh, preliminary findings suggest the student, who was pursuing a degree in Computer Science and hailed from Birgunj, Nepal, died by suicide. The specific circumstances surrounding her death remain under investigation.
This latest incident echoes a previous tragedy at the same institution, where another 20-year-old Nepali Computer Science student died by suicide amid allegations of blackmail by a fellow student. That case escalated into a broader controversy involving accusations of racial discrimination and derogatory conduct by certain faculty members towards Nepali students.
Following the prior incident, the accused, Advik Shrivastava—a third-year BTech student—was apprehended by Bhubaneswar police at the city airport as he allegedly attempted to flee. The university administration faced intense backlash over its initial response, which included an order for over 1,000 Nepali students to vacate the campus. The matter prompted intervention by India’s Ministry of External Affairs, compelling the university to engage in damage control and issue formal apologies.
The recurrence of such incidents has raised serious concerns regarding the welfare, safety, and treatment of international students at KIIT, particularly those from Nepal. Authorities continue to investigate the latest case while calls grow for accountability and systemic reforms within the institution
