KIIT girl student death case: 6 more officials summoned to appear before high-level committee on Feb 27

The Odisha Higher Education Department has summoned six more officials of the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) University in Bhubaneswar to appear before the high-level committee probing into the death of the Nepali girl student.

According to sources, notices have been served to PK Pattnaik, chief proctor; Sanhita Mishra, senior hostel superintendent; Smarika Pati, assistant director; Ipsita Satapathy, IC head and Sidharth Ray, administrative office and one other in connection with the case.

The six officials have been asked to appear before the high-level committee on February 27, sources informed.

Also Read: UGC seeks explanation from KIIT University over girl student's death, mistreatment of Nepalese students

The Odisha government constituted the high-level committee to probe the death of Prakriti Lamsal, a student from Nepal, which triggered massive protest and public outcry over the mistreatment of other students by the KIIT university officials and other staff.

“ I am directed to intimate that the High Level Committee has decided to conduct an enquiry into the alleged suicide of a student and subsequent actions taken by the authorities of the University Hence, you are requested to appear before the High-Level Committee on 27.02.2025 at 12.00 Noon at the Conference Hall of Banquet hall complex building, State Guest House, Bhubaneswar and to adduce evidence with adequate documentary evidence before the Committee on the Terms of Reference as stated in the above referred Office Order (Copy enclosed),” the notice read.

KIIT Founder and Former BJD MP Grilled by High Level Committee

Earlier, the high level committee had grilled KIIT founder and former BJD MP Achyuta Samanta for two and a half hours at the State Guest House.

High-Level Committee Investigation Progress:

The three-member inquiry committee, led by additional chief secretary (Home) Satyabrata Sahu, is tasked with examining the circumstances leading to the student’s suicide on February 16, the alleged high-handedness of the institute’s administration, and the decision to suspend specific students and shut down the institute for them.