KISS student murder case: From alleged cover-up to radio silence, 10 unanswered questions

The death of a Class IX student at the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) in Bhubaneswar has escalated into a major criminal investigation, with the Twin City Commissionerate Police, on Wednesday, stating that the boy was murdered by his classmates, contradicting the institute’s initial claim that he died after slipping inside a hostel bathroom.

Police officials said the student was allegedly assaulted and strangulated inside a hostel washroom following a dispute. Three students have been detained in connection with the case, and the investigation is being carried out by Infocity Police Station on the basis of a Zero FIR. Senior officers said the findings so far indicate homicidal violence rather than an accidental death.

According to the Commissionerate Police, the victim was first beaten and then strangulated during a confrontation inside the washroom.

The police investigation gained momentum after the family raised objections to the manner in which the body was handed over and questioned the absence of a post-mortem examination at Bhubaneswar.

10 Big Questions Against KISS

1. How did such a serious incident take place at KISS?
2. Why did KISS allegedly conceal the matter despite knowing the facts?
3. Why was a post-mortem examination not conducted?
4. Why was such a grave incident hidden from the family?
5. Why was it claimed that the boy had fractured his leg when he had allegedly been murdered?
6. Was the murder case deliberately suppressed?
7. Despite marks on the neck, why no post-mortem... was the truth concealed?
8. Did KISS and KIMS hide the facts?
9. Did KISS hand over the body to the father in an attempt to suppress the case?
10. Why did KISS not issue any response over such a serious incident?

The father of the student claimed that there were visible injury marks on the body, including marks near the neck, which did not match the explanation that the boy had merely slipped and fractured his leg.

The family also alleged that KIMS Medical College and Hospital did not provide treatment records, discharge summaries, or a written explanation detailing the cause of death. They questioned how a student reportedly admitted with a leg injury could die within hours without any formal medical briefing to the parents.

Educationist R N Panda said the incident must be viewed in the context of earlier concerns raised about conditions at the institute.

“Members of the human rights council who had visited KISS had reported that facilities and living conditions were inadequate, and that there were not enough counsellors to look after students’ mental health. Those findings were submitted to the government,” he said.

Panda further alleged that the incident could create an atmosphere of fear within the institution and questioned claims of providing quality education. He also made allegations regarding land encroachment by the institute and accused the state government of ignoring these issues. These claims have not been officially responded to by the authorities.

Meanwhile, locals accused KISS of suppressing facts and destroying evidence while terming the incident as a 'master attempt' to cover up the death of a student.

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As of the filing of this report, neither KISS authorities nor KIMS Medical College and Hospital has issued a statement addressing the police findings, the allegations of concealment, or the questions surrounding the absence of medical documentation.