By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: It seems, Union Education Ministry led by Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan is in no mood to let off former BJD MP Dr Achyuta Samata led KIIT empire, that runs KIIT Deemed to be University, KISS and KIMS over the death of 2 Nepalese students inside University Campus this year.
The University Grant Commission ( UGC), an autonomous body under the Education Ministry has served a show because notice bearing no F.6-47/2001(CPP-I/DU) dated July 21 regarding Nepali students’ suicide deaths dated February 16 and May 1, 2025 in BJD MP Dr Samata led KIIT empire, that runs KIIT Deemed to be University, KISS and KIMS. This notice came after reports of Fact Finding Committee.
.‘The Institution Deemed to be University shall be warned in writing with Public notice or barred from any expansion in terms of diversification to new courses or programmes of Study or Department and establishment off campus or off shore campus for a period of 3 years as recommended by the enquiry committee which is ever higher. Closer of the courses or programme of study or department and off campus or constituent institutions or off shore campuses or may result in withdrawal of the status of Institution Deemed to be University, University Grant Commission served notice on KIIT saying like this.
“This matter is being treated with the utmost seriousness given in sensitive and tragic nature,’ UGC Show Cause Notice reads.
UGC exercising powers conferred under Regulations 29 and 34 of UGC (Institution Deemed to be University ) Regulations 2023 , served show cause notice seeking a reply within 7 days. KIIT has to answer as to why disciplinary or legal action shall not be taken against the Institution. Failure to respond within stipulated time may compel UGC to proceed with appropriate actions , not limited to disciplinary proceedings
On Feb 16, 2025 Prakriti Lamsal, a third-year BTech student from Nepal, was found dead in her hostel room inside KIIT Deemed University in Bhubaneswar in Odisha. On May 2 this year, another Nepalese undergraduate student Prisha Shah was found dead in her hostel room at KIIT University Campus. KIIT Deemed University, its affiliated organisations, KISS and KIMS are being run by former BJD MP Dr Achyuta Samanta.
With BJD taking on BJP over FM College student Soumyashree Bisis’ death in Balasore and while another girl from Puri’s Balanga struggling for life at AIIMS-New Delhi, Union Education Ministry move seen as a counter to defuse Naveen Patnaik led Regional Party’s political gambling. On Monday, Students Congress State President Udit Pradhan arrested in a rape case by Mancheswar Police in Bhubaneswar, which put Congress in back foot. BJP Yuva Morcha already demanded Odisha PCC Chief resignation.
“Had KIIT University taken action to decide the reported harassment case as per law in the first case, the tragedy could have been avoided,” University Grant Commission (UGC) Fact Finding committee report said. The report also called for departmental action against ICC members who acted in violation of rules.The report said members of the internal complaints committee (ICC) and senior administrative personnel of the university “are liable for criminal punishment as per law”,
Committee constituted by UGC has held KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, responsible for the suicide of two students earlier this year, stating that “illegal and unlawful activity by the University” led to one of the deaths and that the administration’s actions “amount to criminal liability’.
The KIIT University, UGC Fact Finding Committee report said, prioritised its “Reputation of University over regulations, law of land and International Relations of the Country.”
The report cited the university’s failure to act lawfully on sexual harassment complaints, inadequate hostel facilities, excessive student intake, and use of brute force on students as key failings contributing to the incidents.
The committee’s observations and findings include serious lapses in infrastructure and governance. It found that hostel facilities were “substandard” with “three students put in a small room” and female international students accommodated without cultural considerations.
It also noted that complaints of sexual harassment were ignored or illegally compromised, that the administration forcibly removed Nepalese students without support, and that security personnel used physical aggression against students.
University’s internal complaints committee (ICC) failed to take lawful action in reported sexual harassment cases. There was no transparency that protocols for investigation were followed. The girl had made complaints to the administration twice much before this tragic incident. In both the complaints, they decided to go for illegal compromise. The university has the power to punish the boy even when the first complaint was lodged. Instead of punishment, they favoured the boy by pushing forced illegal compromise with the girl. Later on, this has led to suicide. This suicide case could have been averted.”
