KIIT Founder Achyuta Samanta summoned by high-level panel over Nepali student’s suicide

Bhubaneswar, Feb 20: The Odisha government has directed KIIT and KISS founder Achyuta Samanta to appear before a high-level committee investigating the alleged suicide of Nepali student Prakriti Lamsal and the subsequent crackdown on student protests by the university administration.

The Higher Education Department issued a formal letter instructing Samanta to present himself before the committee and provide documentary evidence related to the case. The committee aims to probe both the circumstances surrounding the student’s death and the institution’s response to the ensuing protests.

“You are requested to appear before the High-Level Committee on February 21, 2025, at 6:30 PM at the Mini Conference Hall, New Annexe Building, State Guest House, Bhubaneswar, and submit relevant evidence,” the letter stated.

Meanwhile, Odisha’s Skill Development and Technical Education Minister, Sampad Chandra Swain, strongly condemned the university’s handling of the situation. Calling the actions against protesting students “shameful,” he emphasized that the institution should have been more empathetic. Swain assured that stringent action would be taken against those found responsible for the incident.