NHRC demands action over death of Nepali student at KIIT, may send probe team

Bhubaneswar, May 3: Following the suspicious death of a second Nepali student at KIIT University in Bhubaneswar within three months, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has raised serious concerns and expressed its willingness to re-investigate the matter if needed.

NHRC member Priyank Kanungo reiterated that the safety and well-being of students remain the commission’s top priority. “We have issued notices to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police (DGP) seeking an Action Taken Report (ATR). If required, an NHRC team will visit Bhubaneswar to examine the matter closely,” Kanungo said.

The NHRC has directed the state authorities to submit a detailed report, including an FIR copy and the post-mortem report, by May 9. The complaint received by the commission alleged severe negligence and raised concerns over the safety of foreign students, indicating potential human rights violations.

The deceased student was found dead under mysterious circumstances in a KIIT hostel, echoing the earlier case of Nepali student Prakriti Lamsal. The NHRC had earlier held the university accountable for lapses in that incident as well.