Authorities in Bhubaneswar have arrested Advik Srivastava, a third-year Mechanical Engineering student, in connection with the suspected suicide of Nepali student Prakriti Lamsal. The arrest took place on Monday, following growing pressure from students and the public.
Lamsal, a third-year B.Tech student at KIIT University, was found dead in her hostel room on the evening of February 16. The circumstances surrounding her death remain unclear, but an audio clip that recently surfaced online has intensified suspicions. The recording allegedly features Srivastava verbally abusing and harassing Lamsal, leading many to believe that his actions pushed her to take such a drastic step.
Following the incident, university students staged protests, accusing the administration of failing to take action despite Lamsal’s reported complaints to the International Relations Office (IRO). Protesters claim that the university ignored her pleas for help, leaving her vulnerable to continuous harassment.
Meanwhile, the university’s decision to order all Nepali students to vacate the campus has sparked further outrage. Many see this move as an attempt to suppress demands for justice rather than address the core issue.
The police have assured a thorough investigation into the case. However, with mounting evidence and ongoing protests, students and the Nepali community continue to push for transparency and accountability in Lamsal’s tragic death.
