The KIIT Suicide Controversy: Who Was Nepali Student KIIT Prakriti Lamsal and What Led to Her Tragic Death?

The recent tragic death of Nepali Student KIIT Prakriti Lamsal, a 20-year-old student at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), has sparked outrage and raised serious concerns about student safety on campus. The circumstances surrounding her alleged suicide, coupled with allegations of harassment and the university’s handling of the situation, have drawn sharp criticism from students, activists, and the Nepalese government.

Who Was Nepali Student KIIT Prakriti Lamsal?

ହଷ୍ଟେଲ ରୁମରେ ଏମିତି ଝୁଲିପଡ଼ିଥିଲେ ପ୍ରକ୍ରିତି #KIITStudentPrakritiLamsal #KIITUniversity #KIIT #KIITSUICIDE #JusticeForPrakriti #PrakritiLamsal @achyuta_samanta #PrakritiKIIT pic.twitter.com/BoxWrDJqdc

— Santosh Kumar Sahoo (@Santoshsahoo98) February 19, 2025

Justice For My Nepali Sister 🇮🇳🇳🇵 #KIITUniversity pic.twitter.com/rQe8X9qt3d

— Desidudewithsign (@Nikhilsingh21_) February 18, 2025

Prakriti Lamsal, a third-year BTech Computer Science student from Kathmandu, Nepal, was known to be an introverted but ambitious young woman. She aspired to make a name for herself in the IT industry and make her parents proud. However, her dreams were tragically cut short when she was found dead in her hostel room on February 16.

According to her father, Sunil Lamsal, she had spoken to her mother just hours before the tragic incident, assuring her that she was attending a college fest and would call back later. The sudden turn of events shocked her family, friends, and the entire student community.

Was Prakriti Lamsal Harassed?

Following her death, allegations surfaced that Prakriti had been physically and verbally harassed by her ex-boyfriend, Advik Srivastava, a 21-year-old mechanical engineering student at KIIT. Her friends claimed that she had confided in them about the abuse but had requested them to keep it private due to embarrassment.

KIIT Wardens openly abuse Nepali students, watch the exclusive video

Watch #ThisIsExclusive at Republic here – https://t.co/U71RzogkkQ… #KIITUniversity #Nepal #Odisha pic.twitter.com/M5adklZR6Q

— Republic (@republic) February 18, 2025

Reports suggest that Prakriti had reached out to KIIT’s International Relations Office (IRO) to report the harassment. However, despite her complaints, no concrete action was taken against the accused at the time. An unverified audio recording has surfaced online, allegedly containing a conversation between Prakriti and Advik, where the latter can be heard abusing and threatening her while she cries.

The Arrest of Advik Srivastava

In response to the allegations and growing outrage, the authorities arrested Advik Srivastava on charges of abetment to suicide. He remains in judicial custody as investigations continue. Reports indicate that Srivastava is the son of a politician from Lucknow, which has led to speculation about possible influence in the case.

Outrage and Protests at KIIT

My friend @AryaanMisra of @DesiCrime just summarised the KIIT issue. Listen in.
Racism is at an all time rise in the country. We’ve just isolated one of our ally nations because of one horrible boy’s stupidity. Shame. #PrakritiLamsal #KIITUniversity pic.twitter.com/06sJPCDbwY

— Sikandar (@VinamreKasanaa) February 19, 2025

Prakriti’s death triggered a massive student protest at KIIT, with many demanding justice for her and calling for stricter action against harassment on campus. However, instead of addressing their concerns, the university’s response was widely condemned. Reports emerged that KIIT security personnel manhandled protesting Nepali students and later issued an order asking over 500 Nepali students to vacate the campus.

The situation escalated further, leading to intervention from the Nepalese embassy and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. Following diplomatic pressure and public outcry, KIIT withdrew its eviction order, but the incident has raised questions about the university’s handling of student safety and its commitment to justice.

The Larger Issue: Student Safety and Institutional Responsibility

The tragic loss of Nepali Student KIIT Prakriti Lamsal highlights a broader issue faced by students in educational institutions—ensuring their safety, mental well-being, and providing a proper channel for addressing grievances. Universities must create a safe environment where students feel empowered to report harassment without fear of backlash or negligence.

⚠️Trigger Warning: Disturbing Visuals.#KIITUniversity students discovering the suicide of Prakriti Lamsal in her room.

Prakriti Lamsal from Nepal was studying at Kalinga University, Odisha. She ended her life after regular mental harassment by her Boyfriend Advik Srivastava. pic.twitter.com/DWKKeCZGp8

— Manni (@ThadhaniManish_) February 19, 2025

Those lines hit hard 💔
To the friends of Nepal, I hope you will get Justice soon …#JusticeForPrakriti #KIITUniversity #KIITSUICIDE #KIITStudentPrakritiLamsal #kiitmismanagement https://t.co/k3F7DZ9MeZ pic.twitter.com/OYbXanlbnJ

— Professor (@Profesir_) February 20, 2025

The case also underscores the need for stricter measures against harassment, more transparent complaint redressal mechanisms, and increased accountability from educational institutions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who was Nepali Student KIIT Prakriti Lamsal?
   Prakriti Lamsal was a 20-year-old student from Nepal, studying Computer Science at KIIT in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
2. What led to her alleged suicide?
   She was reportedly harassed by her ex-boyfriend, Advik Srivastava, which may have contributed to her tragic decision.
3. Was she facing harassment?
   Yes, her friends and family claim that she was being physically and verbally harassed by Advik Srivastava.
4. Did she report the harassment to the university?
   Yes, she had approached the International Relations Office (IRO) at KIIT regarding the harassment, but no strict action was taken.
5. Who is Advik Srivastava?
   He is a 21-year-old mechanical engineering student at KIIT and was Prakriti’s ex-boyfriend. He has been arrested on charges of abetment to suicide.
6. What action has been taken against Advik Srivastava?
   He has been arrested and is currently in judicial custody as investigations continue.
7. Why did Nepali students protest at KIIT?
   They protested against the university’s handling of the incident and demanded justice for Prakriti. They were reportedly manhandled by security personnel.
8. Did KIIT take any action against protesting students?
   Initially, the university asked over 500 Nepali students to vacate the campus, but the decision was later withdrawn following intervention from the Nepalese government.
9. What role did the Nepalese embassy play?
   The Nepalese embassy intervened after reports of mishandling surfaced and ensured that Nepali students were not forced to leave KIIT.
10. What lessons can be learned from this incident?
    Educational institutions must take student grievances seriously, ensure safe complaint redressal mechanisms, and prioritize student mental health and safety.

Conclusion

The tragic death of Nepali Student KIIT Prakriti Lamsal has sparked widespread outrage and highlighted the importance of student safety on campus. While the accused has been arrested, the incident raises critical questions about institutional accountability and the treatment of harassment complaints in universities. As justice for Prakriti is pursued, it is essential for educational institutions to ensure that no other student faces a similar fate. The case serves as a wake-up call for authorities to take harassment complaints seriously and provide students with a safe and supportive environment to thrive.