Nepal seeks probe in KIIT student's death, coordinates with MEA, Odisha govt

Mint

02-05-2025

Nepal on Friday launched diplomatic initiatives to probe the death of an 18-year-old student from the Himalayan nation at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, a day after she was found hanging from the ceiling fan of her hostel room. The Nepal Embassy in New Delhi said they are coordinating with India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the Odisha government, police and the university for a 'thorough investigation'.
The Nepal Embassy, in a post on X, wrote, 'Deeply saddened by the tragic death of Nepali student Prisha Sah at KIIT, Odisha. Heartfelt condolences to her family. Prayers for her eternal peace. We're closely coordinating with MEA, Odisha Govt., police & the university for a thorough investigation.'
Meanwhile, MEA, in a statement, said, "We are deeply saddened by the tragic demise of a Nepali student of KIIT University, Bhubaneswar. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family during this difficult time. Ministry of External Affairs has been in constant touch with the Odisha State Government since we became aware of the tragic incident. The State Government of Odisha has extended full support to the family of the deceased, and a thorough enquiry is currently being conducted by the Odisha Police."
Nepal's Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba said that diplomatic initiatives have been initiated to investigate the death of the student at KIIT. In a post on X, the Foreign Minister said, "Immediately after the incident, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs initiated diplomatic initiatives to investigate the truth of the incident through high-ranking officials of the Government of India, the Government of Odisha, and the Nepali Embassy in Delhi."
Deuba, expressing condolences to the family of the Nepali student, Prisa Sah, said, 'The incident of Prisa Sah, a Nepali student studying at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) University in Odisha, India, being found dead in her hostel room has left us deeply saddened. I pray for the eternal peace of Prisa's soul and express my deepest condolences to her family at this sad hour.'
On Thursday evening, the student was found dead inside her hostel room, police said. 'Yes, the body of a girl from Nepal has been recovered. It seems that she has committed suicide at the ladies' hostel of KIIT,' reported PTI, quoting Police Commissioner S Dev Datta Singh.
The police said that upon receiving information about the alleged suicide, the body of the girl was recovered in her hostel room, which is inside the campus.
"Today, we have received information that a girl from Nepal has died by suicide at the KIIT University...we reached there and investigated the matter. A detailed investigation will be conducted into the matter...The scientific team reached there, and all the details were collected. Her family has been informed. The body has been sent to AIIMS for the post-mortem," said Singh.
'The deceased's parents will reach Bhubaneswar on Friday, and after that post-mortem examination of the body will be conducted,' the police commissioner added, saying her body has been sent to AIIMS Bhubaneswar.
Police mentioned that the Nepal Embassy has been informed about the incident.
The Odisha government also extended condolences over the death of the girl and assured that necessary action will be taken in the matter.
"Information about the alleged suicide of a girl student from Nepal, studying in the first year B Tech, Computer Science, KIIT University, was received from local police at about 8.10 pm today. 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 Information and Public Relations Department said.
"On receipt of the information, senior officers, including the Commissioner of Police and Revenue Divisional Commissioner, rushed to the site to enquire into the circumstances leading to the unfortunate incident and take necessary action in the matter. The forensic team is at the spot to collect evidence," it added.
'An incident of suicide by a Nepali student has happened. Prima facie, it appears to be a suicide case as she was found in a hanging position inside a locked room. All evidence has been collected. The body has been sent to AIIMS for post-mortem. An investigation is underway. I have spoken to the Nepali embassy. Police arrangements have been made outside KIIT University, where the situation is normal,' ANI quoted Bhubaneswar Police Commissioner Suresh Dev Datta Singh as saying.