Students of the KIIT University are seen at their campus as they are protesting against the University authority for the justice of died Nepali student at KIIT campus in Bhubaneswar.
| Photo Credit: BISWARANJAN ROUT

The Nepal government has called for a thorough investigation into the death of a Nepali girl student who was found dead in her hostel room on the campus of Bhubaneswar-based Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) University on Thursday evening, May 1, 2025. The university had recently come under scrutiny following another suicide of a Nepali girl in February.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of Prisa Sah, a Nepali student at KIIT University in Odisha. I offer my heartfelt condolences to her family during this difficult time and pray for the eternal peace of her soul,” said Arzu Rana Deuba, Nepal’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, reacting to second death of Nepali girl on the KIIT university campus in less than three months on social networking site ‘X’.

“Following the incident, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs promptly initiated diplomatic efforts to ascertain the truth. Senior officials have engaged with counterparts in the Government of India, the Government of Odisha, and the Embassy of Nepal in New Delhi to ensure a thorough investigation,” said Ms. Deuba said.

Shankar P Sharma, Nepal’s Ambassador to India, reiterated the Nepalese Foreign Minister’s sentiments in a post on X. “Deeply saddened by the tragic death of Nepali student Prisa Sah, found in her hostel room at KIIT, Odisha. Heartfelt condolences to her family. Prayers for her eternal peace. We are closely coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs, the Odisha government, police, and the university to ensure a thorough investigation,” Mr. Sharma wrote.

Prisa, an 18-year-old, was studying in first year B. Tech, Computer Science, KIIT University. According to Odisha government, information about an alleged suicide of the girl was received from local police at about 8.10 p.m. on Thursday.

“The parents of the girl were informed about the incident immediately by the university authorities. In this hour of distress, the State Government extends its support to the family of the deceased and offers its condolences to them,” the government said.

Commissioner of Police for Bhubaneswar and Cuttack S. Dev Dutta Singh rushed to the campus in the evening. “When there was evening attendance call of inmates of hostel, the response of Prisa did not come. Immediately after hostel authorities checked, she was found hanging. The forensic team was immediately asked to search the room. Her friends are cooperating,” said Mr. Singh.

“No note has been found from the room. We have registered a case of unnatural death. No allegation has so far been received against anyone,” said Police Commissioner. Postmortem on the girl’s body will be performed in presence of their parents who are arriving on Friday.

On February 16, a 20-year-old Nepali female student was found dead in her university hostel room. Subsequently, angry students began protesting on campus, demanding justice for her and alleging that the university had ignored complaints of harassment. When tensions escalated, the university had forcibly evicted more than 500 Nepali students from the university.