KIIT University row: No arrests as wives of many IAS, IPS associated with varsity, alleges Tara Bahinipati 

Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati on Thursday made an explosive statement regarding KIIT University, claiming that several IAS and IPS officers' wives are employed at the institution.

He claimed that KIIT University’s failure to handle the chain of events and protests following the death of an student from Nepal had left Odisha red-faced on the global stage.

What Did Tara Prasad Bahinipati Say?

Bahinipati, in this regard, also attacked the state government and questioned whether it had any political pressure to hide influential figures running the institute, reiterating that many spouses of many bureaucrats work at the university because of which the government had not arrested anyone in connection with the incident.

Also Read: Odisha minister assures probe into KIIT University mismanagement, land grab allegations

What had happened?

The MLA's claims stem from a notice issued by KIIT University on Monday ordering all students from Nepal to vacate its premises. Soon after issuing the statements, the institution shifted the Nepali students to the Cuttack railway station and asked them to arrange their own means to return home.

The Embassy of Nepal in New Delhi as well as the Prime Minister of Nepal took note of the situation and expressed concern. Later that day, KIIT repealed its decision and appealed to all students from Nepal to return, with Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi also urging the same.

Meanwhile, Tara Prasad Bahinipati questioned why no arrests of any key figures involved in running the institute have been made despite the incident having damaged Odisha’s reputation.

“Our topmost priority is Odisha and its pride. The KIIT incident hurt the sentiments of all Odia and shamed us globally. I want to know if the government is shielding any key individual and hence is not making any arrests,” he said during an interaction with the media on Thursday.

Ground reality:

It is worth mentioning that a total of five people, including three directors and two security guards of the university, were arrested by the police on Tuesday but all were released on bail later that day.

The State government's high-level probe committee continued its investigation for the second consecutive day on Thursday, while the Commissionerate Police took the accused, Advik Srivastava, on a three-day remand.

However, KIIT founder, Achyuta Samanta is yet to make any statements regarding the entire series of events.

Also Read: KIIT University Prakriti Lamsal’s death: Odisha launches helpline & WhatsApp numbers for Nepali students