On February 16, 2025, Prakriti Lamsal, a 20-year-old Nepali student at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, was found dead in her hostel room, an event that has instigated widespread protests and raised diplomatic concerns12. Lamsal, a third-year B.Tech student majoring in computer science, allegedly died by suicide following claims of harassment and blackmail by a fellow student.
Key Points:
● Allegations of Harassment: Lamsal’s cousin, Siddhant Sigdel, reported that she had been subjected to continuous harassment by Advik Srivastava, a 21-year-old student from Lucknow, which allegedly led her to take her own life.
● Student Protests: Over 500 Nepali students protested on campus, alleging that the
university ignored Lamsal’s complaints and failed to take preventive action. The protests escalated when university authorities attempted to evict the students forcibly.
● Accused Apprehended: Srivastava was detained on February 16 while allegedly attempting to leave Bhubaneswar and was subsequently arrested. He has been booked under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for abetment of suicide.
● University’s Response: KIIT initially suggested that Lamsal’s death resulted from a personal dispute with Srivastava, a claim that has been strongly contested by protesting students and Lamsal’s family.
● Investigation: Authorities are investigating the case, including a forensic examination of Lamsal’s mobile phone and laptop, to verify the blackmail allegations.
● Diplomatic Intervention: The Nepalese government has intervened, with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli sending officials from the Nepal Embassy in Delhi to support the affected students and engage with local authorities. The Nepal Embassy assured students they could stay in their hostel or return home as per their choice.
● Father’s Statement: Lamsal’s father, Sunil Lamsal, stated that his daughter was subjected to
harassment and emotional blackmail, which led to her suicide.
Harassment and Blackmail:
○ Lamsal had reportedly complained to the university’s International Relations Office
(IRO) about Srivastava’s behavior, but the university allegedly only issued a warning.
○ Social media posts suggested Lamsal was being blackmailed by Srivastava, and an
audio clip purportedly featuring a conversation between the two went viral, in which a male voice was allegedly heard abusing and harassing the female.
Student Protests and University Response:
○ Nepali students blocked roads and demanded justice, accusing the university of ignoring Lamsal’s complaints.
○ KIIT’s attempt to evict the protesting Nepali students triggered further outrage.
Odisha’s Higher Education Minister acknowledged that KIIT should not have evicted the students.
○ KIIT maintains that Lamsal and Srivastava were in a relationship and that the suicide may have resulted from a personal dispute.
○ Protesting students and Lamsal’s family strongly contest this version Lamsal’s father stated that she was harassed and emotionally blackmailed.
- Arrests and Legal Actions:
○ Advik Srivastava, the student accused of harassment and abetment of suicide, has been arrested and placed in judicial custody. He is reportedly the son of a politician from Lucknow, which has added complexity to the case.
○ Five university officials, including the Director General and two hostel directors, were also arrested for their roles in the mishandling of the situation and for allegedly forcing Nepali students to vacate the campus. However, they have since been granted bail. - University Response:
○ In light of backlash from students and the public, KIIT announced a scholarship in memory of Lamsal to honor her legacy. The founder of KIIT met with her family to express condolences.
○ The university faced criticism for its initial handling of complaints from Lamsal about harassment. Following protests, several officials were suspended for their inadequate response to her allegations. - Protests and Student Safety:
○ Protests erupted on campus involving over 500 Nepali students demanding justice and better protection against harassment. Reports indicated that many students were forced to leave without proper notice, leading to heightened tensions.
○ Following intervention from Nepal’s embassy officials, some students who had left are now returning to campus as assurances of their safety have been provided.
- Nepal’s Government Response:
○ The Nepalese government has expressed serious concerns regarding the treatment of
its students in India. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has emphasized that if justice is not served in this case, Nepal may reconsider sending students to Indian institutions.
○ Nepalese lawmakers have raised the issue in Parliament, urging their government to
ensure a thorough investigation and address the concerns of Nepali students studying in India. - Political Repercussions:
○ The incident has sparked political debates within Odisha’s Assembly, with various
parties blaming each other for mishandling the situation. This has led to accusations against the ruling party regarding its connections with KIIT’s administration.
○ The Odisha government has formed a high-level committee to investigate both
Lamsal’s death and allegations against university officials regarding their treatment of students during protests5. - International Concerns:
○ The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu has established a 24/7 help desk to ensure the safety of affected Nepali students and facilitate their return if necessary. This move aims to mitigate tensions and reassure students about their security while studying abroad. - The situation continues to evolve as both governments navigate this sensitive issue, balancing
diplomatic relations with the need for justice and accountability in response to Lamsal’s tragic death.
The incident is under intense scrutiny due to diplomatic pressure, student outrage, and allegations of
administrative negligence. The outcome of the police investigation and any potential legal actions
against Srivastava and the university authorities will determine the next steps in this case.
About Author
Krishnapriya Mishra
4th year Law Student at Xavier Law School, XIM University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
