Nepal govt to make arrangements to send back KIIT student's body

Bhubaneswar, Feb 18: Rekam GC, president of Mool Pravah Akhil Bharat Nepali Ekta Samaj, on Tuesday said that the Nepali government would arrange for the return of the body of the Nepali student who was found dead in her hostel room at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar on February 16.

Join the Whatsapp Channel to Get News updates in english

In a conversation with ANI, Rekam GC stated, "We demand a thorough investigation into the case. We were informed that it was a suicide. The police have made arrests in the case. The girl's body will be flown back to Nepal, with the government facilitating the arrangements. We have already contacted her family."

The third-year BTech student was discovered dead in her hostel room, leading Nepali students to protest, alleging that she had been harassed by a fellow student and calling for justice.

Also Read: KIIT University Case: Students in Nepal take to street demanding justice, pressure government for diplomatic efforts

Police arrested Advik Srivastava, a student implicated in the case, on February 17. He was subsequently sent to judicial custody on the same day, as confirmed by a statement from the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Police Commissionerate.

"The investigation is ongoing, and evidence, including documents and electronic gadgets, has been seized. The Commissionerate Police is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all students, including those from Nepal," the statement read.

The incident has triggered significant outrage among students, with many demanding justice and greater transparency from the college administration. Protesting students have called for the establishment of an independent student body to protect their rights and interests, voicing concerns about the safety of their peers.

"We just want an independent student body that is separate from the college itself, one that can protect us. We also want transparency from the faculty regarding why such incidents occur. An international student was treated this way—what if it happens to us next?" said one of the protesting Nepali students.

Also Read: Nepal govt to make arrangements to send back KIIT student's body

In response to the incident, Nepali Ambassador to India, Shankar P Sharma, spoke with KIIT founder Achyuta Samanta. Samanta briefed the ambassador about the actions taken by the institution, including a public apology letter from the Vice Chancellor and the dismissal of several staff members.

Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli also addressed the issue, stating that the government of Nepal is closely following the case and engaging in diplomatic discussions with India. "We have been informed through media that a Nepali student has passed away at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar, and that Nepali students were forcibly evicted from the hostel," Oli wrote in a statement on his Facebook account.

In a related development, KIIT issued a public statement on Tuesday announcing disciplinary action against several staff members in connection with the student's death. The institution also apologized for distress caused by earlier comments made following the incident.

KIIT's notice confirmed the suspension of two senior hostel officials and a senior administrative officer from the International Relations Office (IRO), pending a thorough investigation. A letter of apology from the Vice-Chancellor posted on the college's X account read: "KIIT has always welcomed students from around the world, fostering a culture of inclusivity, respect, and care. We deeply regret the recent incident and reaffirm our commitment to the safety, dignity, and well-being of all our students, including our beloved Nepali students."

(With ANI inputs)