Pain, grief and fear and sorrow haunt the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) University in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, after the second alleged suicide of a Nepali girl studying there.

Prisha Sah, 20, from Sarlahi district, a first-year BTech computer science student at the university, was found dead inside a college hostel at around 8:10 pm on Thursday.

Another Nepali girl, Praktiti Lamsal, had been found dead in similar circumstances on February 16 on the same campus.

This has sent a new shock wave across Nepal and India and raised questions over why Nepali girl students at the institute are taking such harsh measures.

Lamsal had allegedly committed suicide after unbearable mental torture at the hands of a male classmate, according to preliminary findings. Acting on the immense public and diplomatic pressure, the state government of Odisha had formed an investigation team along with the State Human Rights Commission but their reports are still under wraps.

The father of the deceased student revealed that she was fine during their last call at around 3 pm on the day of the incident, a local Odisha media reported on Friday evening based on its interview with him.

According to Nepali Ambassador to India Shankar Sharma, the family of Prisha Sah were scheduled to reach Bhubaneswar by Friday evening. The postmortem would then be carried out, he said.

Police have begun an investigation, such as by turning on her mobile phone and recording the statements of her friends.

Concrete details of the incident are expected to emerge when the postmortem report is out and recording of the statements of her family members and friends is completed, added Sharma, who is in regular touch with India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the chief minister of Odisha, and the university administration and is coordinating with Kathmandu.

After back to back suspicious deaths of two Nepali girl students, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also under pressure to get the Indian side to put necessary measures in place.

On Friday evening, the ministry issued a statement, offered condolences to Prisha’s friends and family and stated that the ministry is coordinating for an independent investigation of the incident and ensuring the safety and security to the Nepali students at the KIIT.

It was also coordinating with the Nepali Embassy in Delhi, the Ministry of External Affairs of India, the relevant agencies of the Odisha state government, and KIIT representatives.

The university grant commission has formed a fact-finding committee, led by Prof Nageshwar Rao, to probe Nepali student suicides at the KIIT University, Bhubaneswar. The report is due in 10 days, according to the Odisha TV.

The National Human Rights Commission of India also sent a notice to the Odisha chief secretary and the police chief to probe the allegations made in the complaint and take proper action including the lodging of the FIR and to submit a report on the action taken by May 9.

The two tragic incidents within a span of less than three months have triggered a debate in Nepal and India over the safety of the students in the university as the Indian government on Friday reaffirmed that it takes the safety, security and well-being of all international students seriously.

The Ministry of External Affairs of India stated that it is in close contact with the Nepali authorities, the Odisha state government, and the university management to ensure real-time communication and coordination in the matter.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic demise of a Nepali student of KIIT University, Bhubaneswar,” the ministry said in a statement on Friday. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family during this difficult time.”

The ministry added that it has been in constant touch with the Odisha State government since learning of the 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,” it said.

The government of Nepal also stated that a diplomatic initiation has been taken to investigate the death of the Nepali student.

Prakriti Lamsal from Butwal had also died in the same college hostel amid her mental torture by a male classmate, who is behind the bars now.

The Odisha State government had investigated the death but its findings remain unknown. Lamsal had reportedly died by suicide on February 16.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Arzu Rana Deuba has said that the ministry took immediate diplomatic steps for fair investigation into the death of the second Nepali student at the KIIT.

“Immediately after the incident, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs took diplomatic efforts through the Embassy of Nepal in Delhi, the government of India and the state government of Odisha to conduct a fair investigation of the incident,” Foreign Minister Deuba wrote on X on Friday morning.

The Nepali Embassy has urged an independent and impartial investigation of the incident and emphasised the importance of ensuring the safety and security of all Nepali students at the KIIT.

The embassy also received instructions from the foreign ministry and the Office of the Prime Minister in Kathmandu on this matter. “In connection with this incident, Ambassador Shankar Sharma contacted the chief minister of Odisha, Mohan Charan Majhi, and the chief secretary of the state, expressing grief over the incident and requesting an impartial investigation,” the mission stated.

The embassy is in continuous contact and coordination with Nepali students at the KIIT University, the Central Government of India, the Office of the Chief Minister of Odisha, and other relevant Indian authorities. “Additionally, this morning, the embassy summoned representatives from the university to gather more information on the incident.”

The Odisha state government said they have taken necessary measures to investigate the matter. According to the Information and Public Relations Department in Odisha, the parents of the girl were informed about the incident by the university authorities.

“On receipt of the information, senior officers including the Commissioners of Police and Revenue Commissioners rushed to the site to enquire into the circumstances leading to the unfortunate incident and take necessary action in the matter,” read a press note issued by the department. “The forensic team is at the spot to collect evidence.”

Some media outlets reported that the university administration has blocked its social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram and YouTube from Friday morning. Sumana Shrestha, a lawmaker from Rastriya Swatantra Party, also wrote on X that students in KIIT University were being barred from sharing information.

But JR Mohantay, registrar at the KIIT University, responded to Shrestha through X and requested everyone to rely on verified updates from official sources, at a sensitive time.

Meanwhile, the KIIT University confirmed that the student, a first-year BTech Computer Science student from Nepal, died by suicide on campus. The university said the incident occurred in a hostel, and the authorities immediately informed the local police. The police recovered the student’s body and took her to KIMS Hospital, where she was declared ‘brought dead’. The body was later transferred to AIIMS Bhubaneswar for further procedures.

“The police arrived at the scene, and the student's body was recovered in their presence. She was immediately taken to KIMS Hospital, where she was declared dead,” the university said in a statement. “Upon receiving the news, senior police officials reached the scene and monitored all the procedures along with a scientific team and carried out a preliminary investigation immediately.”

KIIT stated that the student’s family was informed promptly and that it is extending full cooperation to the police. “We are deeply saddened and distressed by the untimely death of one of our students,” the university said. “We mourn this irreparable loss and stand in solidarity with her family, friends, and the entire Nepali student community.”

According to local media reports, the death of another Nepali student girl in suspicious circumstances has triggered widespread concern across Odisha. The State Law Department has also taken cognizance of the case. Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan on Friday stated that legal procedures have begun with police officials initiating investigation into the death of the student, the local Odisha TV reported.

“The Odisha government is determined to ensure that justice is served. All aspects—including student safety, mental health support, and institutional accountability—will be thoroughly examined during the probe,” said the minister.

Suresh Pujari, revenue and disaster management minister of the same state, also expressed deep sorrow, terming the tragedy “unfortunate and troubling”.

Speaking to the media, Pujari on Friday emphasised that such incidents involving students are not only heartbreaking but also reflective of a larger mental health crisis facing today’s youth, according to the Odisha TV.

“This is not a good sign. Our younger generation is feeling pressured and under stress. It is a sensitive issue which is leading to increase in suicides, and this is a matter of grave concern,” said Pujari.