The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) member Priyank Kanoongo has accused Odisha’s Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) of negligence, stating that the university’s failure to act on complaints of sexual abuse and blackmail led to the suicide of a Nepalese student.
According to Kanoongo, the student had repeatedly informed university authorities about the harassment she faced, but instead of seeking police intervention, they attempted to suppress the matter. Speaking to ANI, he said, “As per the report submitted by the NHRC investigation team, the girl had complained to the university management about sexual abuse, blackmail, and being filmed. The authorities tried to cover up the case and did not inform the police. This forced the girl to take her own life.”
Following her death, Kanoongo alleged that other Nepali-origin students at KIIT were mistreated. He claimed that they were forcibly removed from their hostels at midnight. NHRC has now sought accountability from key authorities, including the Chief Secretary, Police Commissioner, the University Grants Commission (UGC), and the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).
“After the girl’s suicide, Nepali students were evacuated from hostels at night in large numbers. We have demanded a response from the Chief Secretary, Police Commissioner, UGC, and NAAC within a month. The police must provide an updated report, appropriate legal action must be taken, and corrective measures must be enforced at the university,” Kanoongo added.
The controversy erupted after the third-year B.Tech student was found dead in her hostel room on February 16. Protests by Nepalese students followed, alleging that she had been harassed by a fellow student and that the university had ignored her complaints. On March 4, NHRC launched an investigation into her death and the alleged mistreatment of protesting students.
Meanwhile, Nepal’s NHRC has formally requested the Indian Human Rights Commission to investigate the circumstances surrounding the student’s death at KIIT.
