The Orissa High Court has taken a sweeping stance on the alarming issue of student suicides in educational institutions, expanding its scrutiny to encompass all universities across Odisha. In a significant order, the court has also provided interim protection to the prominent KIIT and KISS institutions from any coercive state action for the time being.
Court Calls for State-Wide University Audit
Justice S K Panigrahi, in his order dated December 12, emphasized that student suicides on campuses are a matter of "grave and pressing concern." Moving beyond the specific case involving KIIT and KISS, the court directed the state's Chief Secretary to file a comprehensive, sworn compliance affidavit. This affidavit must address the systemic deficiencies highlighted by the higher education department, with the scope covering all universities in the state, whether public or private.
The court explicitly stated that it does not view the proceedings as adversarial. Instead, it observed that all universities in Odisha should receive similar notices from the higher education department. The goal is to ensure uniform compliance with prescribed norms and safeguards, thereby creating a safer environment for students statewide.
Interim Stay on Coercive Action Against KIIT & KISS
The immediate context of this broad order stems from a petition filed by KIIT and KISS authorities on April 4. They were challenging a March 27 order from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). The NHRC had held KIIT accountable in connection with the alleged suicide of a Nepalese student on February 16 and directed the Chief Secretary to submit an action taken report. The High Court had initially stayed all NHRC proceedings on April 7.
While extending this interim stay, Justice Panigrahi has now ordered the Chief Secretary to refrain from initiating or continuing any coercive measures against KIIT and KISS. This restraint is specifically concerning a show-cause notice dated September 9 issued by the higher education department. The protection will remain until the compliance affidavit is filed, considered, and the issues are conclusively adjudicated. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for February 24, 2026.
Compliance Reports and Corrective Measures
The court's interim protection was granted while hearing an interlocutory application from KIIT and KISS. They sought enforcement of the HC's earlier interim order and a restraint on coercive steps following the September show-cause notice. Alongside the notice, the institutes had been directed to submit a detailed compliance report outlining:
- Corrective measures already implemented.
- Proposed corrective actions with clear implementation timelines.
- Responsibility fixed for identified lapses.
- A mechanism to prevent the recurrence of such incidents in the future.
The court was informed that a comprehensive reply to this notice was filed by the institutes on September 24. The broader directive to audit all universities signals the judiciary's intent to address student welfare and mental health as a systemic issue requiring urgent and uniform attention across Odisha's higher education landscape.
