KATHMANDU, MAY 2
Another Nepali student has been found dead in her hostel room at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT University) in Odisha, India, in what is being investigated as an alleged case of suicide.
The deceased has been identified as Prisa Sah of Parsa Birgunj, a first-year B.Tech student majoring in Computer Science.
According to a press note issued by the Government of Odisha, local police were informed of the incident at around 8:10 pm on Thursday. University authorities reportedly alerted Shah's parents immediately.
Following Sah's death, Nepal's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Arzu Rana Deuba, expressed deep sorrow over the loss. "The death of Nepali student Prisa Shah in her hostel room has deeply saddened me. I pray for the eternal peace of her soul and extend heartfelt condolences to her family during this difficult time," Deuba wrote in a social media post. She added that the Ministry has taken diplomatic steps to ascertain the facts through the Indian government, Odisha authorities, and the Nepali Embassy in New Delhi.
The Government of Odisha stated in a press note that it is providing full support to the bereaved family. Senior state officials, including the Commissioner of Police and the Revenue Divisional Commissioner, visited the site to oversee the investigation. A forensic team is also working to collect evidence and determine the circumstances of the death.
This is the second reported suicide of a Nepali student at KIIT University in less than three months.
On February 16, Prakriti Lamsal (20), a third-year Computer Science student, also reportedly died by suicide in her hostel room. That case had triggered widespread outrage in Nepal had prompted calls for investigation both in Nepal's Parliament and by general public.
In the aftermath of Lamsal's death, the university was accused of mishandling the case and mistreating Nepali students. The incident led to the arrest of Advik Shrivastava, the main accused in the case, and the termination of two security staff. KIIT University later issued an apology, acknowledging that senior hostel and administrative staff had behaved inappropriately towards Nepali students-accusations included verbal abuse, harassment, and even forced eviction from campus. Two senior officers from Nepal Police stationed at the Nepali Embassy in New Delhi had previously dispatched to KIIT University to follow up on Lamsal's case.
The Government of India on Friday expressed deep sorrow over Sah's death. In a press release, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it has been in close contact with the Odisha State Government, which is providing full support to the bereaved family. A thorough investigation is underway by the Odisha Police.
"The Government of India takes the safety, security, and well-being of all international students very seriously," the MEA said. It added that Indian authorities remain in close coordination with Nepali officials and KIIT University management to ensure effective communication and support.
With the latest incident occurring just months after the previous tragedy, concerns are once again being raised about the safety and well-being of Nepali students studying at the university. Parents in Nepal are increasingly anxious about the treatment and protection of their children studying abroad.
