KIIT Student Suicide Case: Odisha Government Panel Summons Institute Founder Achyuta Samanta Amid Ongoing Inquiry

The move comes after significant public outcry regarding the death of a student, leading the Odisha government to form a special panel to investigate the matter. The committee, headed by Home Secretary Satyabrata Sahu, aims to understand the circumstances surrounding the student's death and investigate the actions taken by the university authorities after the incident took place.

Odisha Government Panel Summons KIIT Founder

In light of the incident, the Odisha state government quickly acted to address the concerns raised by the student's death. A high-level committee was formed under the leadership of the Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Satyabrata Sahu, along with Subha Sarma, Principal Secretary for Women and Child Development, and Aravind Agarwal, Principal Secretary for Higher Education.The committee's purpose is to uncover the truth behind the suicide, examine whether the university authorities exhibited high-handed behaviour, and investigate the reasons behind the targeting of a specific group of students.

The Higher Education Department, in a letter to Samanta on February 21, 2025, Thursday, said, “You are requested to appear before the high-level committee on 21.02.2025 at 6.30 pm at State Guest House to adduce evidence with adequate documentary evidence before the committee on the term of reference as stated in the office order.”

Achyuta Samanta, a well-known educational entrepreneur and philanthropist, has been called upon to provide evidence and documents to the panel regarding the university's handling of the situation.

KIIT Founder Apologies Over Student Suicide

Official Statement from Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder, KIIT.@MEAIndia @DrSJaishankar @MofaNepal @IndiaInNepal @EONIndia pic.twitter.com/uqY56uDHH9

— KIIT - Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (@KIITUniversity) February 20, 2025

In a video message, KIIT Founder Achyuta Samanta appealed to Nepali students to return to the university and resume their classes. He expressed his heartfelt apologies to the parents of the students studying at KIIT and reassured the students of their safety, urging them to come back. The video was shared on the KIIT official X handle with the caption, “Official Statement from Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder, KIIT.”

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The Committee's On-the-Ground Efforts

As part of their investigation, the government panel visited the KIIT campus to speak directly with both staff and students. The visit was aimed at gathering accounts from individuals who may have witnessed or been involved in the events leading to the suicide. By conducting these interviews, the panel hopes to piece together the chain of events and assess whether the university's actions were appropriate or if there was negligence involved.

The committee is also tasked with investigating the treatment of Nepalese students on campus, as several have claimed that they were subjected to discrimination or mistreatment, which may have contributed to the distress of the student who took her own life. The government is keen on ensuring that no student faces such difficulties in the future and that corrective measures are put in place.

Don't miss:KIIT Nepali Student Suicide Case: Odisha Govt Orders Probe, Six Arrested, VC Issues Apology, And More

“Nepali Students Returning To Campus”, Says KIIT Official

KIIT stands in solidarity with the family of Prakriti Lamsal and deeply mourns her tragic loss. We have taken strict actions, extended full support to the investigation, and are ensuring the safety and well-being of all Nepali students. We urge everyone to support a peaceful… pic.twitter.com/Xz8wLHYuKn

— KIIT - Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (@KIITUniversity) February 19, 2025

Dr Shyam Sundar Behura, the Additional Registrar of KIIT University, told ANI that Nepali students have started coming back to the university. He also mentioned that a special control room has been set up to stay connected with the parents.He said, “They (students from Nepal) have started returning. A dedicated control room has been set up through which we are connected to the parents. We are having video conferencing with the parents of the students. They are convinced and they are sending their wards over here. We have also started the classes and everything is normal.”

Nepal’s Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba said that the matter of the Nepali student’s death while studying at KIIT, Odisha, is being addressed through diplomatic efforts.He said, “We immediately initiated diplomatic efforts. While we demanded justice for the deceased and legal action against the guilty, we coordinated with relevant agencies to ensure the safety and academic environment for Nepali students.”

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