Odisha KISS School Official Evidence Destruction Case

In February 2025, a 10th-grade female student was found dead at the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. The death sparked massive protests on campus, with allegations that the victim had been harassed. In the aftermath, the state Crime Branch launched an investigation. During the inquiry, evidence emerged suggesting that KISS school officials attempted to destroy or tamper with critical evidence, specifically CCTV footage and relevant documents related to the student's death. The institution is founded by prominent politician Achyuta Samanta. The incident raised serious questions about the conduct of the private residential school's administration and their efforts to obstruct justice.

As of the current date, the investigation by the Odisha Crime Branch is ongoing. Multiple school officials have been interrogated regarding the evidence tampering allegations. No final conviction or sentence has been handed down yet.

The primary dispute focuses on the deliberate destruction and tampering of CCTV footage and records by school authorities to shield the true circumstances of the student's death. The case hinges on allegations of a cover-up to protect the institution's reputation and potential criminal liability, with disputes over the obstruction of justice.

The incident triggered widespread public outrage and student protests across Odisha, highlighting issues of safety and institutional accountability in prominent residential schools. It caused significant reputational damage to KISS and its founder Achyuta Samanta. The case intensified demands for stricter oversight of private educational institutions and fueled political debates in the state.