IIT-Bombay Hostel Case: Visitor arrested after live cartridges found in student’s bag; probe continues - DETAILS

A week after a visitor was arrested for allegedly hiding live ammunition inside a student’s bag at the hostel of the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay in Powai, investigations are still underway to determine the motive behind the act.

The Powai police had on February 19 arrested 23-year-old Anand Chaudhary, a college dropout, from inside the IIT-Powai hostel premises. He was taken into custody after five live 7.65 mm cartridges were found inside a bag belonging to his friend, Apoorva Mishra, a first-year BTech student at the institute. Chaudhary has since been remanded under provisions of the Arms Act.

According to police officials, the cartridges surfaced during a routine security check that followed a dispute between hostel residents. On the afternoon of February 19, security personnel were alerted to an argument between two students on the ground floor of Hostel No. 1. The altercation reportedly stemmed from a monetary disagreement.

When security staff reached the spot, they noticed signs suggesting alcohol consumption. Since liquor is prohibited inside the hostel, officials decided to inspect the rooms of the students involved. During the search of one of the rooms, security personnel found a black bag on the bed. Upon checking its front pocket, they discovered five live cartridges.

Initially, the student present in the room told guards that the bag belonged to his friend. Further questioning revealed that the ammunition had allegedly been brought to Mumbai by Chaudhary on February 12. He had requested permission to stay at the hostel as a guest while visiting the city.

Police said Chaudhary had come to Mumbai to meet his girlfriend and celebrate Valentine’s Day. He reportedly stayed at the hostel for a few days before meeting her on February 14. On that day, he, his girlfriend and the IIT student went out for a movie and dinner. Officers said the student was aware that the cartridges were in his bag but did not view it as serious, claiming that such possession is considered common in their hometown in Uttar Pradesh.

Chaudhary was apprehended when he returned to the hostel on February 19 to meet his friend again. After being questioned by IIT security officials, he was handed over to the police. An FIR was registered under relevant sections of the Arms Act, and he was produced before a magistrate and sent to judicial custody. The students were questioned and later released.

In a statement, IIT-Bombay clarified that the ammunition had been brought to campus by a visitor who was a childhood friend of one of the hostel residents. The institute said the matter came to light after a physical altercation between two students prompted security intervention. During the inspection, liquor bottles were found, followed by the discovery of live ammunition. No firearm was recovered from the premises.

The institute added that an internal inquiry was conducted by the chief security officer and the case was subsequently handed over to the police. Disciplinary action, if any, will be taken in accordance with institutional procedures.

Police officials have stated that the investigation is ongoing to establish why the cartridges were brought onto campus and placed inside the student’s bag.