KISS student murder case reaches OHRC; Petition filed seeking independent probe, Rs 1 crore compensation

In the latest development to the ongoing row over the murder of a Class IX student at the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) in Bhubaneswar, a petition has been filed before the Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC).

Sources reported that on Friday, a petition seeking an independent inquiry into the incident, action against responsible officials and compensation of Rs 1 crore for the deceased student’s family was filed with the OHRC.

According to the petition, the complainant has prayed the OHRC to conduct a free and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the student’s death, citing serious allegations of negligence and suppression of facts.

OHRC Petition Seeks Scrutiny Of Evidence

In the application submitted before the OHRC, the petitioner has specifically requested verification of the post-mortem report, viscera analysis report, CCTV footage and hostel records to establish the sequence of events leading to the student’s death.

The plea further calls for a probe into the functioning and decision-making processes of the KISS management at the time of the incident.

The petition argues that a comprehensive examination of documentary records and electronic evidence is essential to fix accountability and determine whether due procedures were deliberately bypassed.

NCST Takes Suo Motu Cognisance

Meanwhile, the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) has taken suo motu cognisance of the case and sought responses from senior state officials. Sources said the NCST has issued notices to the School and Mass Education Secretary, the Khordha District Collector and the Superintendent of Police, seeking a detailed account of the incident.

The Commission has asked officials to explain the sequence of events, administrative actions taken after the student’s death and compliance with safeguards meant for Scheduled Tribe students.

Eyewitness Students To Record Statements Before Magistrate

In a parallel development, the Commissionerate Police will record the statements of eyewitness students before a magistrate under Section 183 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). Police sources said more than five students are expected to depose, narrating how the Class IX student was allegedly killed inside the hostel premises.

The statements will also detail the sequence of events following the incident, including who allegedly attempted to suppress the case and how students were allegedly intimidated into silence. Police said allegations that KISS authorities, teachers and staff threatened or assaulted students to prevent disclosure will form a key part of the testimony.

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Police Confirm Murder, Arrests Already Made

Earlier, Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Police Commissioner S Dev Datta Singh confirmed that the student was murdered by his classmates and that the death was not natural. Police said a group of students, referred to during the investigation as the ‘Joker gang’, strangled the victim following a minor dispute, with the post-mortem report confirming death due to neck compression.

Eight KISS officials, including Additional CEO Pramod Kumar Patra, have been arrested in connection with alleged negligence and suppression of facts linked to the case.

At the time of filing this report, KISS authorities had yet to issue a response to the latest developments.