Nepali students’ death at KIIT University: UGC sets up fact-finding committee

The University Grants Commission (UGC) constituted a fact-finding committee on Friday to look into the Nepali girl students’ suicide cases at KIIT University in Bhubaneswar.

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UGC insisted that the committee would suggest measures to prevent such incidents in the future, and the to-be-constituted committee shall submit its fact-finding report within 10 days from the issuance of this order today.

“UGC constituted a Fact-Finding Committee under the Chairmanship of Prof. Nageshwar Rao, former Vice-Chancellor, IGNOU to look into the students’ suicide cases at KIIT, Bhubaneswar, and suggest measures to prevent such incidents in the  future,” said UGC Secretary Manish Joshi.

Terms of Reference (TOR) for the Committee:

1.    Examine the circumstances surrounding the student suicide incidents, including factors such as institutional policies, academic pressure, grievance redressal mechanisms, and student support structures.
2.    Evaluate the university's mental health support system, including counseling services, crisis intervention frameworks, faculty sensitization programs, and peer support initiatives.
3.    Review compliance with relevant student welfare and safety regulations, including security protocols, grievance redressal mechanisms, and anti-harassment measures.
4.    Conduct an on-site assessment to verify the actual implementation of student safety and well-being policies, beyond documented compliance.
5.    Engage with stakeholders, including students, faculty, administrators, and support staff to assess institutional culture, student experience, and challenges faced.
6.    Ensure the compliance of Guidelines for Promotion of Physical Fitness, Sports, Students' Health, Welfare, Psychological and Emotional Well-Being at Higher Educational Institutions of India.
7.    Submit a detailed report with findings and recommendations to UGC for strengthening students' safety mechanisms and institutional accountability.

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The panel was constituted after a 20-year-old Nepalese girl student Prisha Sah of the KIIT was found hanging from the ceiling fan of her hostel room at around 8.10 PM yesterday. The incident comes after the suicide of Prakriti Lamsal, another Nepalese student of the same institute on February 16 this year.

NHRC issues notice to Odisha DGP, Chief Secy

Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sent a notice to Odisha Chief Secretary and Police DG under Section 13 of the PHR Act, 1993. A written complaint was received by the human rights body, earlier in the day. Upon pursuing the same, the Commission directed to investigate and take proper action and to submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) by May 9 this year.