In a significant development, the Orissa High Court has issued a temporary stay on the proceedings of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) against the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT). The decision comes in response to a petition by KIIT following the tragic death of a Nepalese student on its campus in February.
Justice Sanjeeb Kumar Panigrahi of the Orissa High Court presided over the case and ordered that no further actions be taken against KIIT until the next court hearing scheduled for April 29. The court has also issued notices to all parties involved, including the NHRC, and has requested their responses within the next three weeks.
The controversy began after the body of a 20-year-old Nepalese woman was discovered in her hostel room at KIIT on February 16. The incident sparked significant unrest and led to assaults and the forceful eviction of Nepalese students from the campus, following protests. The case attracted international attention, prompting intervention from the Prime Minister of Nepal.
The NHRC, deeming the incident as an outcome of “gross negligence” by KIIT authorities towards the student’s “suicide,” demanded an action taken report from various bodies, including the Odisha government and the University Grants Commission, by March 27.
KIIT, however, contends that the NHRC’s actions were premature and lacked legal fairness. According to KIIT’s petition, the NHRC initiated suo motu proceedings and issued directives without proper notification to or consultation with the institution, thus violating the principles of natural justice.
