Crime – Second Arrest Made in IIT Bombay Hostel Cartridge Recovery Case
Crime – Mumbai police have arrested a second individual in connection with the recovery of live ammunition from a hostel room at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay campus, expanding an investigation that has raised concerns about security inside one of the country’s leading technical institutions.
The Powai Police confirmed on Saturday that Prashantraj Yadav, a 24-year-old real estate agent originally from Bihar, was taken into custody in Ujjain. Officers said he was intercepted while returning from a religious trip. Authorities allege that Yadav had exchanged photographs of firearms with another accused already arrested in the case.
Background of the ammunition recovery
The case began on February 19 when campus security discovered five live 7.65 mm cartridges in a hostel room belonging to Apurv Mishra, a first-year B.Tech student at IIT Bombay. Investigators later learned that Mishra was acquainted with Sarvottam Chaudhary, who was earlier arrested by Powai Police.
During questioning, Mishra reportedly stated that Chaudhary had brought the cartridges onto the campus during a previous visit. Police officials said Mishra admitted that he kept the ammunition mainly to attract attention among fellow students rather than to harm anyone.
Police probe links second accused
According to investigators, the inquiry later revealed that Chaudhary had been in contact with Prashantraj Yadav. Police claim that the two had exchanged messages discussing firearms and had also explored the possibility of buying a weapon. However, officers said no transaction was ultimately completed.
Based on this information, police teams began tracing Yadav’s movements and eventually located him in Ujjain, where he was arrested and brought for further questioning.
Discovery during hostel security check
The discovery of the ammunition came after a routine security intervention inside the hostel. On the night of February 19, a campus security officer on duty was alerted around 1:30 a.m. by the institute’s Quick Response Team about a dispute between students on the ground floor of Hostel No. 1.
When security personnel reached the location, they found that two students had been involved in a verbal disagreement. The argument was reportedly between Suraj Dubey, a first-year B.Tech student residing in Room 93, and Aman, who lived in Room 89. According to security staff, the disagreement was related to a financial matter.
Hostel authorities intervened and managed to calm the situation without further escalation.
Search leads to cartridge recovery
While interacting with the students involved, security staff allegedly noticed the smell of alcohol on Suraj Dubey and his friend Apurv Mishra. Since alcohol consumption is prohibited inside the hostel premises, the security team decided to inspect their rooms as part of standard disciplinary procedures.
During the search of Suraj Dubey’s room, security staff checked a black bag kept inside the room. In the front compartment of the bag, they found five live yellow-metal cartridges marked “KF 7.65”.
When questioned about the ammunition, Dubey reportedly told the authorities that the bag belonged to Apurv Mishra. Investigators then questioned Mishra, who allegedly stated that the cartridges belonged to his acquaintance Sarvottam Chaudhary from Samastipur in Bihar.
Visit to campus and police action
According to Mishra’s statement, Chaudhary had visited the IIT Powai campus on February 12 and had placed the cartridges in the bag during that visit. Following the discovery, senior institute officials were informed and campus security began coordinating with local police.
Later the same day, when Chaudhary returned to the campus, he was detained and questioned by authorities. During interrogation, police said he admitted that he had obtained the 7.65 mm cartridges from Munger in Bihar, a location historically associated with illegal arms manufacturing.
At around 10 p.m. on February 19, Security Sub-Inspector Amod Karanje handed over the seized cartridges to Powai Police. An FIR was subsequently registered, and Chaudhary was booked under relevant sections dealing with the illegal possession and transportation of ammunition.
Investigation continues
The recovery of live ammunition from a hostel within the IIT Bombay campus has drawn attention due to the institution’s strict security framework. Police officials said the investigation is continuing to determine how the cartridges were acquired and whether any wider illegal ammunition network may be involved.
Authorities are also examining digital communications between the accused to understand the extent of their discussions about weapons.