On February 16, 2025, 20-year-old Nepali student Prakriti Lamsal, a third-year B.Tech student at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar, India, was found dead in her hostel room, an apparent suicide. Her death has sparked widespread protests and debates in both Nepal and India.

Investigations revealed that Prakriti had been subjected to prolonged harassment by her boyfriend, Advik Srivastava, a fellow third-year B.Tech (Mechanical) student at KIIT. Srivastava was arrested on February 17, 2025, following a complaint lodged by Prakriti's cousin, Siddhant Sigdel, who alleged that the harassment led to her tragic decision.

The incident led to significant unrest among the student community. Protests erupted on the university campus, with students demanding justice for Prakriti and better protection measures. The situation escalated when university authorities ordered all Nepali students to vacate the hostels, leaving many stranded and exacerbating tensions.

In response to the outcry, the Odisha state government formed a high-level fact-finding committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding Prakriti's death. Additionally, KIIT took disciplinary actions by suspending and arresting several staff members, including security personnel and administrative officials, for their mishandling of the situation and misconduct towards protesting students.

The tragedy has also reverberated in political arenas. Lawmakers in both the Nepalese and Odisha parliaments have raised concerns over the incident, calling for thorough investigations and justice for Prakriti. The Nepalese government has engaged in diplomatic discussions with Indian authorities to ensure the safety and well-being of Nepali students studying in India.

Prakriti's father, Sunil Lamsal, who traveled to Bhubaneswar following the incident, expressed his grief and urged for justice for his daughter, hoping that no other Nepali student would face a similar fate.

Sources:

1. [Prakriti Lamsal Case: How Chaos Unfolded at KIIT University](https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/prakriti-lamsal-advik-shrivastava-odisha-nepal-students-body-an-audio-file-how-chaos-unfolded-at-kiit-university-7743779)
2. [The Life Cut Short at Odisha's KIIT](https://indianexpress.com/article/india/the-life-cut-short-at-odishas-kiit-introvert-who-shared-ordeal-with-few-hoped-to-make-parents-proud-one-day-9843480/)
3. [21-Year-Old from Lucknow Held After Batchmate's Suicide at Odisha KIIT](https://indianexpress.com/article/india/batchmate-held-kiit-university-odisha-nepal-student-suicide-9841359/)
4. [KIIT Student Prakriti Lamsal’s Death Sparks Protests in Nepal and Odisha](https://kathmandupost.com/national/2025/02/19/kiit-student-prakriti-lamsal-s-death-rocks-parliaments-of-nepal-and-odisha)
5. [More Employees of KIIT Arrested in Connection with Prakriti Lamsal Death](https://sambadenglish.com/latest-news/more-employees-of-kiit-arrested-in-connection-with-prakriti-lamsal-death-8733071)

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