BHUBANESWAR: A Nepalese student’s body was found hanging in her hostel room at a private university in Bhubaneswar on Thursday.
Ruling out any foul play, police confirmed it as a case of suicide, noting this incident occurred about two and a half months after another Nepalese computer science third-year student’s reported suicide at the same institution on February 16.
Police commissioner S Dev Datta Singh confirmed to TOI about the fresh suicide. “The girl student from Nepal died by suicide within her campus hostel. We are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding her death,” the police commissioner stated.
The consecutive deaths of two Nepalese students on university campus have caused distress and shock among students and faculty alike. The February incident triggered national controversy after revelations that the student allegedly took her life following sexual abuse by a fellow student.
The previous incident resulted in turmoil when hundreds of Nepalese students alleged their forceful eviction from campus after protesting the institution’s purported negligence regarding the student’s death.
The matter intensified to the point where Nepal’s Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli engaged in diplomatic discussions with India, requesting resolution for the affected students.
While a government high-level investigation continues, police arrested at least 10 university employees.
The institution subsequently issued an apology and pledged to providing comprehensive support and security measures for Nepalese students.