Bhubaneswar has been shaken by new developments in the death case of Nepali student Prakriti Lamsal, a third-year B.Tech student at KIIT University. As investigations continue, fresh allegations have surfaced, including claims that the accused, Advik Srivastava, attempted to flee the city.
A viral social media post shared on platform ‘X’ shows a flight ticket allegedly booked in Srivastava’s name for February 16, 2025—the same day Lamsal was found dead in her hostel room. The ticket details show a flight departing from Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, with boarding scheduled for 8:35 PM and takeoff at 9:20 PM. Many believe this suggests he was planning to escape following the tragic incident.
Meanwhile, an audio recording has also surfaced online, allegedly capturing a conversation between Srivastava and Lamsal. In the clip, a male voice is heard verbally abusing and harassing a young woman, further intensifying accusations against him.
Authorities have since arrested Srivastava in connection with the case, but students at KIIT are demanding stronger action. Protests have continued outside the university campus, with demonstrators insisting that the university ignored Lamsal’s previous complaints. Some claim she had reported harassment to the International Relations Office (IRO), but her pleas for help were ignored.
Speaking to the media, KIIT Registrar Jnyana Ranjan Mohanty acknowledged that Lamsal was in a relationship and suggested that personal issues led to her taking an extreme step. “Her room has been sealed, and her family has been informed. The accused has been arrested,” he stated.
However, the university’s response has sparked further outrage. In a controversial move, KIIT issued a notice ordering all Nepali students to vacate the campus immediately. The decision, which comes amid ongoing protests, has been widely condemned as an attempt to silence demands for justice.
As the investigation unfolds, pressure is mounting on both university officials and law enforcement to ensure transparency and accountability in Lamsal’s case.
