Five live cartridges were recovered at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay during a security check on Sunday.
Officials said that 7.65 mm cartridges were found in a student’s bag at the IIT Bombay in Powai during a security check inside the hostel premises, following a minor dispute over money between students.
Powai Police filed an FIR against one accused following a complaint by a campus security officer. As per preliminary findings, the live cartridges were brought from Bihar, and police are now probing this link. Investigation is underway.
Five live 7.65 mm #cartridges were found in a student’s bag at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay in Powai during a security check inside the hostel grounds, following a minor money dispute between students. #IITBombay #crimenews #Mumbai #TheStatesman pic.twitter.com/jDQgXqHRsW
— The Statesman (@TheStatesmanLtd) February 22, 2026
How the incident unfolded
According to the complaint lodged, the campus security officer on night duty received information around 1:30 am on February 19 from the Quick Response Team about a dispute on the ground floor of Hostel No. 1. The argument reportedly took place between Suraj Dubey, a first-year B.Tech student residing in Room No. 93, and Aman, a resident of Room No. 89, allegedly over a financial transaction. Security personnel intervened promptly and managed to settle the dispute.
However, the matter escalated when security staff allegedly detected the smell of alcohol on Suraj Dubey and his friend Apoorv Mishra. As alcohol is strictly prohibited inside the hostel premises, authorities conducted a search of their rooms in line with institutional regulations.
During the inspection of Suraj Dubey’s room, security personnel checked a black bag kept in the room. From its front compartment, five live yellow-metal cartridges marked “KF 7.65” were recovered.
When questioned, Suraj Dubey reportedly claimed that the bag belonged to Apoorv Mishra. During further inquiry, Apoorv allegedly stated that the cartridges belonged to his acquaintance, Sarvottam Anand Satishchandra Chaudhary (23), a resident of Samastipur.
Apoorv reportedly told investigators that Sarvottam had visited the campus on February 12 and had placed the cartridges inside the bag during his visit.
On February 19, when Sarvottam Chaudhary returned to the campus, he was detained for questioning. During interrogation, he allegedly admitted to purchasing the 7.65 mm cartridges from Munger.
At around 10 pm the same night, Security Sub-Inspector Amod Karanje handed over the five live cartridges to the local police station, following which a case was registered against Sarvottam Anand Chaudhary under relevant sections pertaining to the illegal possession and transportation of ammunition.
Police are now probing the motive behind bringing the cartridges onto the campus and examining whether the incident is linked to any broader criminal conspiracy or illegal arms supply network.