Five Live Cartridges Found in IIT Bombay Hostel, Security Breach Sparks Campus Safety Debate

A security scare unfolded at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay after five live cartridges were discovered inside a hostel room on the Powai campus, raising serious concerns about safety protocols at one of the country’s premier institutions.

The incident came to light in the early hours of February 19 following a dispute between two first-year BTech students residing in Hostel No. 1. Security personnel were alerted after reports of a verbal altercation. During their intervention, guards reportedly detected the smell of alcohol, prompting a room inspection. It was during this check that a bag containing five live 7.65 mm cartridges was found.

Subsequent inquiries revealed that the ammunition allegedly belonged to a 23-year-old man identified as Anand Chaudhary, who is not a currently enrolled student at the institute and is said to have dropped out earlier. According to officials, he had been visiting the campus as a friend of one of the students. Police later arrested him on charges related to illegal possession and transportation of ammunition. No firearm was recovered in connection with the case.

The episode has triggered fresh debate over campus security arrangements, particularly concerning visitor access and identity verification systems. Questions are being raised about how live ammunition was brought into a residential hostel without detection. The incident comes close on the heels of another reported lapse in which an individual allegedly impersonated a PhD scholar and stayed on campus for weeks before being identified.

Institute authorities stated that an internal review was conducted before informing law enforcement agencies. The students present in the hostel room were questioned and later released, though disciplinary proceedings may follow as per institutional rules.

While no injuries were reported and no weapon was found, the discovery has unsettled the campus community. The incident has intensified calls for tighter surveillance, stricter visitor regulations, and enhanced monitoring mechanisms to ensure student safety without compromising the open academic environment that institutions like IIT Bombay strive to maintain.