Achyuta Samanta: From KIIT Founder to Political Stint to Controversy

What began in 1992-93 as a modest initiative in two rented rooms with an investment of just ₹5,000, 12 students, and two employees has now evolved into a massive engineering university spanning 36 sq km in Bhubaneswar. However, the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) is now at the center of a major controversy following the suicide of a 20-year-old Nepalese student. Its founder, Achyuta Samanta, 61, is facing intense scrutiny, with leaders across party lines demanding action against him.

The unrest on the KIIT campus escalated after Prakriti Lamsal, a student from Kathmandu, was found dead in her hostel room on February 16. Police ruled it a suicide and arrested 21-year-old Advik Srivastava from Lucknow on charges of abetment. The situation worsened after the university reportedly instructed Nepalese students to vacate hostels, with allegations emerging of physical assault by university authorities.

The incident has sparked a diplomatic standoff between India and Nepal, tarnishing Samanta’s carefully cultivated image as a social entrepreneur who has provided free education to thousands of tribal children.

Samanta’s Journey: From Struggles to Success

Born into a struggling family, Samanta lost his father at the age of four and faced numerous hardships. At 25, he established an Industrial Training Institute (ITI) and named it KIIT, inspired by his belief that the letter “K” brought him luck. Armed with a Master’s degree in chemistry from Utkal University, he initially worked as a junior lecturer at a government-aided college in Bhubaneswar.

His former classmate, Rabi Behera, recalled, “The ₹5,000 he started KIIT with was a bank loan. He was determined, and his mother was his biggest inspiration.” Behera, now Odisha unit head of the Samajwadi Party, highlighted Samanta’s perseverance in building KIIT and its twin institution, the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), founded in 1993.

Samanta claims KISS has provided free residential education to over 20,000 underprivileged tribal children. According to veteran journalist Pradosh Patnaik, KISS has helped Samanta secure national and international funding, bolstering his reputation as a social reformer.

KIIT became a full-fledged engineering college in 1997 and expanded rapidly. In 2007, it introduced new disciplines, including law, biotechnology, medical and dental sciences, nursing, media, fashion, and an international school. The university now has around 40,000 students from across India and 2,000 international students from 65 countries, with Nepalese students making up about 40% of the international student body.

Allegations and Political Ties

Despite its success, KIIT has faced allegations of favoritism and political influence. Observers claim Samanta strategically hired relatives of influential figures to strengthen his business dealings. His extensive national and global network has attracted prominent visitors, including former President APJ Abdul Kalam, ex-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, former Chief Justice of India P Sathasivam, and Nobel laureates.

In 2018, Samanta entered active politics, joining the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and securing a Rajya Sabha nomination. In 2019, he won the Lok Sabha seat from Kandhamal, a region from which KISS enrolls many students. However, in the 2024 elections, he lost by over 21,000 votes and subsequently announced his retirement from politics.

Despite leading an educational empire, Samanta’s 2024 election affidavit listed his total assets at just ₹71.43 lakh.

Legal and Financial Scrutiny

Samanta’s journey has not been without setbacks. A 2012 Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report accused Odisha’s Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Idco) of granting KIIT “undue benefits” worth ₹66.25 crore. In June 2023, the Union Tribal Affairs Ministry ordered the Odisha government to halt the diversion of over four hectares of forest land to KISS amid compliance concerns under the Forest Rights Act.

Growing Calls for Action

Following the Nepalese student’s suicide, opposition leaders, including Congress’s Taraprasad Bahinipati, have demanded Samanta’s arrest, citing allegations of assault against protesting students. While the BJP-led state government has promised strict action, some BJP leaders have also called for measures against Samanta.

BJP MLA Babu Singh accused Samanta of expanding KIIT through his “influence” under the previous BJD government. Meanwhile, BJD MLA Souvik Biswal stated that anyone guilty in the case should be punished as per the law.

As investigations continue, the controversy surrounding KIIT and its founder shows no signs of slowing down.