KISS student murder: Odisha Child Rights Commission flags food, hygiene lapses during campus probe

The investigation into the murder of a Class IX student at Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) has widened with the Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (OSCPCR) flagging serious concerns over food quality, hygiene, living conditions and overall student welfare during its on-ground inspection of the campus.

The visit, which took place on Thursday, follows police confirmation that the student was murdered by his classmates and that the incident was deliberately concealed by institutional authorities.

OSCPCR Team Inspects KISS Campus

OSCPCR chairperson Babita Patra, accompanied by two commission members, visited the KISS campus to conduct an inquiry after the student’s death triggered widespread concern. During the inspection, the team examined hostels, dining arrangements and the general environment in which students reside.

Patra, in an interaction with the press, noted discrepancies between what students were being served and what was publicly stated by the institution.

According to her, students were being provided only flattened rice and sugar for breakfast, while lunch consisted of rice and dalma. This, the Commission noted, differed from information displayed on the KISS website regarding nutritional meals for students.

Unhealthy surroundings and visible disorder among students were also observed during the visit, prompting concerns over whether the campus environment was conducive to learning and holistic development.

Commission To Revisit Campus, Submit Report To CM

OSCPCR chairperson Babita Patra said the Commission would conduct a fresh and more detailed inspection of the campus.

“We will go to KISS again. We will scrutinise the living conditions, probe the quality of food provided to the students and whether they are growing holistically. Whether those students can study and how conducive the environment is there will be investigated,” she said.

She confirmed that the Commission would submit a detailed report to Chief Minister Mohan Majhi after completing the renewed inspection.

Suo Motu Cognisance, Multiple Reports Sought

Patra said the Commission has taken suo motu cognisance of the case and initiated a comprehensive probe involving multiple agencies.

“The Council has taken suo motu cognisance of the matter and has initiated a probe. We have asked for probe reports from the police, from KIMS and the doctors who declared the boy dead,” she said.

The Commission has also sought detailed explanations from KISS authorities who were present at the time of the incident.

“We have sought a report from the KISS authorities who were present during the incident and who decided to hand over the boy's body without any post-mortem. We have asked them to explain their intentions behind not revealing the cause of the boy's death to their parents,” Patra added.

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Arrests Made, Probe Continues

Meanwhile, Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Police Commissioner S. Dev Datta Singh has confirmed that the student was murdered by his classmates and that the death was not natural. Addressing a press conference, the Commissioner said police investigations established that a group of students, referred to as the ‘Joker gang’, strangled the victim to death over a petty issue.

Contrary to medical findings, KISS authorities allegedly handed over the body to the family, claiming the student died of a heart attack, without informing the local police. Police said this raised serious questions about negligence and suppression of facts.

Following the investigation, eight KISS officials, including an additional CEO, a TGT teacher, a headmaster and an assistant teacher, have been arrested and forwarded to court. An inquiry has also been launched into how KIMS Medical College handed over the body without conducting a mandatory post-mortem examination.

Police said further investigation into the case is ongoing. Neither KISS nor KIMS have responded to this matter at the time of the filing of this report.