In a grim repetition of a tragedy that occurred just over two months ago, another student from Nepal has been found dead in her hostel room at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The deceased was a first-year engineering student from Birgunj, Nepal.
The incident was reported on Thursday evening around 8 PM, when the hostel warden discovered the girl unresponsive in her room after she failed to mark attendance at 7 PM. Authorities were immediately alerted.
Police Investigation Underway
Bhubaneswar Police Commissioner S Dev Dutta Singh confirmed that an unnatural death case has been registered. A scientific team was deployed to examine the room for any clues. The police are currently questioning fellow hostel students and friends to gather more details.
“We are exploring every angle in the investigation. If there is any indication of foul play, it will be thoroughly probed,” said Commissioner Singh.
The student’s body has been sent to AIIMS Bhubaneswar for a postmortem, which will be conducted after her parents arrive from Nepal on Friday. The Nepalese Embassy in New Delhi has also been informed and is coordinating with the victim’s family.
Echoes of a Similar Incident in February
This tragedy comes just two months after the reported suicide of another 20-year-old Nepalese student at the same institute, which had sparked concern about the mental health and emotional well-being of international students at Indian campuses.
In that previous case, reports had emerged suggesting the student was introverted and had shared struggles with only a few people. That death had already raised serious questions about the availability and effectiveness of student counseling services and mental health support at KIIT.
KIIT Responds
The KIIT administration, in an official statement, said that the police investigation is ongoing and that the institution is fully cooperating with the authorities.
“This is a tragic loss. We are assisting the police in every possible way and are also offering support to the hostel residents and students close to the deceased,” the spokesperson said.
Questions Over Safety and Student Support
With two deaths of Nepalese students within a span of a few months, concerns are being raised over the mental health infrastructure and monitoring systems in place at KIIT. Student organizations and alumni have begun calling for a thorough audit of counseling services and the implementation of proactive intervention measures for international students.
Experts point out that international students often face cultural isolation, language barriers, academic stress, and homesickness — all of which can exacerbate emotional challenges in a high-pressure academic environment.
A Community in Grief
The KIIT campus has been plunged into mourning, with students holding silent vigils in memory of the deceased. The Nepalese student community in Odisha, already shaken by the previous tragedy, is again facing heartbreak.
"We urge the authorities to not just investigate these incidents, but also to take steps that ensure such incidents do not happen again," said a student representative.