Prakriti Lamsal, a third-year B-Tech student at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Odisha, India, was set to graduate in just a year and a half. In a phone conversation with her mother, Saru, a week and a half ago, Prakriti excitedly shared her plan to surprise her father with a car, promising that once she completed her studies, she would earn enough to make it happen.

Unable to hold her excitement, Prakriti’s mother, Saru, eagerly shared it with her husband, Sunil. “She said she would surprise you with a car once she started earning,” Saru told him. But within just 10 days, their dream was shattered when they heard the heartbreaking news that Prakriti was found dead in her hostel room at the university.

Prakriti had been concealing her inner turmoil, whether during her visit home a month and a half ago or when she excitedly shared her plans to surprise her father with a car. Even on the day of the tragedy, when she spoke to her mother on February 16, she didn’t express any indication of distress. “We spoke at 2:51pm. She mentioned the college festival and that Indian rapper Badshah was performing,” Saru recalled. “She said she would be ready to leave by 4pm, and then our conversation ended.”

Just three hours after their conversation, Prakriti’s cousin and classmate, Anurodh Khanal, called Saru in a panic, saying, “Something has happened here, please come quickly.” Alarmed by his tearful voice, Saru immediately informed her husband, Sunil. “When he said ‘come quickly,’ I had a chilling feeling that something was terribly wrong,” Sunil recalled. Without wasting a moment, Sunil called the university and, along with three friends, hurried to Odisha.

Upon arriving at Bhubaneswar airport around midnight, Sunil and his friends were met by university staff and local police, who escorted them to the campus. They were shown Prakriti’s sealed hostel room before being taken to AIIMS Bhubaneswar Hospital, where they were shown her body. Devastated, Sunil gave his consent for a post-mortem to be conducted.

Later, the university’s founder, Achyuta Samanta, requested to meet with them. Sunil recalled, “Samanta expressed his deep sorrow and condolences, but we immediately asked for justice.” He added, “We demanded action against those responsible for abusing her and called for a safer environment for all students.”

Once it was confirmed that 21-year-old Adhik Srivastav, a third-year B-Tech (Mechanical) student at the university, had been arrested for allegedly abusing Prakriti, Sunil said they were able to bring their daughter’s body back to Nepal. “The university administration, Nepali and Indian students, and the embassy all helped us,” he said. The family took Prakriti’s body to Nepal on Wednesday, where they held her funeral.

Prakriti, who completed her studies up to class 4 in Bhairahawa and class 12 at Uniglobe College in Kathmandu, moved to Odisha for higher education. In 2022, her cousins, Siddhant Sigdel and Anurodh Khanal, also enrolled at the same university. Siddhant pursued Mechanical Engineering, while Anurodh, like Prakriti, chose B-Tech.

Sunil said, “We initially considered Bangalore. But ultimately, we decided to send her to Odisha as her cousins were studying.”

Anurodh said the university hosts students from various countries, including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Syria, and Bhutan, alongside Indian students. In their year of admission, more than 400 Nepali students enrolled. “In the first year, students from the same country are grouped together in five sections, each with 80 students,” he said. “From the second and third years, students are mixed with peers from other countries.” While Prakriti and Anurodh were in the same section, he said he had no knowledge of any connection or relationship between her and Srivastava.

Srivastava, a third-year B-Tech student, has been accused of abusing Prakriti and driving her to suicide. Despite studying at the university, he lived in a flat outside the hostel. “He is said to be the son of a political leader,” shared Prakriti’s friend, Jay Singh Chaudhary, from Gaindhawa-3, Rupandehi. “When we demanded justice, we were beaten with sticks. Now, I am scared to return to my studies.” Chaudhary, who had also returned home on Wednesday, expressed his fear.

Prakriti’s family has accused the university of hiding crucial details about the incident. “After my daughter submitted two complaints with evidence of the abuse, the administration initially issued a written warning and later suspended the student. However, this was kept confidential,” said her father, Sunil. “The guilty must face strict punishment,” he added, emphasising the need for justice.

During discussions with the university’s founder, Achyuta Samanta, the Nepali team proposed setting up a revolving fund in Prakriti’s name. The proposal included a full scholarship for one Nepali student, with the selection process entirely under the control of Prakriti’s parents. Although Samanta and the university administration agreed to the proposal, no further arrangements or agreements have been made.

In the wake of Prakriti’s tragic death, her family and relatives have raised concerns over the lack of a safe environment for Nepali students at the university. Prakriti’s maternal uncle, Shiva Sharma, highlighted that the university’s response has deepened the fear among Nepali students. “Students who returned home in distress are now hesitant to resume their studies. It is vital for the Nepal government and relevant stakeholders to take immediate action to ensure their safety,” he said. Locals in Bhairahawa also staged a protest on Friday, calling for a thorough investigation into Prakriti’s death, justice for the guilty, and a safer environment for Nepali students.

CAP: Prakriti’s mother Saru and father Sunil Lamsal, along with relatives, at their home in Bhairahawa following the death of their daughter. POST PHOTO