KISS student murder case: Statements of 11 students recorded before Magistrate, more to follow

In the latest development in the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) student murder case, the Commissionerate Police on Saturday recorded the statements of 11 students before a magistrate under Section 183 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

Police sources confirmed that the statements were formally recorded in the presence of a Judicial Magistrate as part of the ongoing criminal investigation.

Officials said the exercise was conducted to preserve testimonies of key witnesses at an early stage of the probe. Of the 11 students whose statements were recorded, seven are reportedly eyewitnesses who had directly seen the incident inside the hostel premises.

Eyewitnesses Narrate Sequence Of Events

According to sources, the eyewitness students detailed the sequence of events leading up to the death of the Class IX student and what unfolded immediately after the incident. Investigators are examining these accounts to establish timelines, individual roles and the circumstances within the hostel at the time of the incident.

As per earlier reports, the statements were made to probe allegations related to attempts to suppress information after the incident, as put forward by the Commissionerate Police, who had stated that claims of threats or intimidation by KISS authorities, teachers or staff will be examined based on material evidence and witness accounts.

It is worth noting that police have not disclosed specific details from the statements today, citing the sensitivity of the matter and the need to protect witnesses.

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Students Handed Over To Families, More Statements Likely

After completion of the statement-recording process, the students were handed over to their respective families, police confirmed. Officials added that the process is ongoing and statements of more students may be recorded in the coming days if required for the investigation.

The development follows earlier Police confirmation that the student’s death was a case of murder. Bhubaneswar–Cuttack Police Commissioner S Dev Datta Singh had stated that the victim was killed by classmates, with the post-mortem report establishing death due to strangulation.

Police have already arrested eight KISS officials in connection with alleged negligence and suppression of facts related to the case. At the time of filing this report, KISS authorities had not issued any fresh statement on the latest developments.