- By Shivangi Sharma
- Tue, 18 Feb 2025 09:53 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
KIIT Suicide Row: After a massive protest erupted at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, following the tragic death of a 20-year-old engineering student from Nepal, Prakriti Lamsal, police arrested a third-year student from KIIT on Monday in connection with Lamsal’s suicide, according to a report by The Indian Express.
The arrest followed a complaint from Siddhant Sigdel, Lamsal's cousin, who alleged that the accused student had been blackmailing her, leading to her tragic decision. According to the FIR, Lamsal had been subjected to severe emotional distress, and her batchmate's actions had pushed her to take the extreme step.
Her body was discovered in her hostel room on Sunday, sparking an outpouring of anger from fellow students, who believe that harassment from a batchmate may have led her to take her own life.
The initial investigation by the Bhubaneswar police pointed to suicide as the cause of death. The police, however, did not rule out foul play and have launched an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the incident. The body of Lamsal was sent for a postmortem at the Capital Hospital. Alongside the investigation, the police seized Lamsal's laptop and phone, which could hold crucial evidence related to the case.
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Prakriti Lamsal’s Suicide Sparks Protests
Prakriti Lamsal, a B.Tech student pursuing Computer Science, had reportedly raised concerns about the harassment she was enduring. On Monday, hundreds of students, including those from Nepal, staged protests, blocking the roads to the university. They demanded justice for Lamsal and accountability from the university authorities. KIIT University issued a notice on February 17, instructing all Nepali students to vacate the campus. The university registrar, Gyana Ranjan Mohanty, stated that the victim, Prakriti Lamsal, was in a relationship with the accused and took her own life due to a strained relationship. He confirmed that her hostel room had been sealed, and her family was informed. The accused has been arrested, and the police are investigating the matter.