Mumbai, March 7 (NationPress) In relation to the case concerning the discovery of live cartridges in a hostel room at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, the Powai Police apprehended the second suspect on Saturday. The individual, identified as Prashantraj Yadav (24), was detained in Ujjain while returning from a religious pilgrimage.

Yadav, who hails from Bihar, is employed as a real estate agent. Police allege that he shared images of firearms with the first suspect, who has already been arrested in this matter.

The incident originated on February 19, when five live 7.65 mm cartridges were discovered in the room of Apurv Mishra, a first-year B.Tech student at IIT Bombay. Mishra was reportedly friends with Sarvottam Chaudhary, who was previously detained in connection with the case. Mishra informed investigators that the cartridges were brought to the hostel by Chaudhary.

During the investigation, the Powai Police learned that Mishra had retained the cartridges to impress his peers and attract attention, without any intention to cause harm.

Further inquiries indicated that Chaudhary and Yadav had considered acquiring a weapon, although the transaction did not proceed.

Earlier, on February 22, five live cartridges were found in the possession of a student at IIT Bombay during a security inspection inside the hostel. This discovery was initiated following a minor monetary dispute among students.

Following a complaint from a campus security officer, the Powai Police registered an FIR and initiated a comprehensive investigation.

On the night of February 19, around 1:30 a.m., a security officer was alerted by the Quick Response Team regarding a quarrel between two students at Hostel No. 1.

Upon arrival, the officer found a verbal confrontation between Suraj Dubey, a first-year B.Tech student in Room 93, and Aman, a resident of Room 89. The altercation was reportedly linked to a financial disagreement between them.

The hostel security team intervened effectively, calming the situation.

During their engagement with the students, security staff noticed the scent of alcohol on Suraj Dubey and Apurv Mishra. Given that alcohol consumption is strictly prohibited within the hostel, authorities opted to search their rooms in compliance with institutional policies.

In the process of inspecting Suraj Dubey’s room, security personnel examined a black bag found there. From its front compartment, five live yellow-metal cartridges marked ‘KF 7.65’ were uncovered.

When interrogated about the ammunition, Suraj Dubey claimed the bag did not belong to him but to his associate Apurv Mishra. During further questioning, Mishra revealed that the cartridges belonged to his acquaintance, Sarvottam Anand Satishchandra Chaudhary (23), a resident of Samastipur, Bihar.

Mishra explained that Chaudhary visited the IIT Powai campus on February 12 and placed the live cartridges in the bag during his visit. Senior officials were promptly notified of this development.

On February 19, when Chaudhary returned to campus, he was detained for questioning. During this interrogation, he allegedly confessed to purchasing the 7.65 mm cartridges from Munger, Bihar.

At approximately 10 p.m. that same evening, Security Sub-Inspector Amod Karanje handed over the five live cartridges to the police station. A case has since been filed against Sarvottam Anand Chaudhary under relevant laws concerning illegal possession and transportation of ammunition.

The discovery of live ammunition within the premises of one of the nation’s leading technical institutions has raised significant security concerns. This incident has also prompted discussions about a potential illegal ammunition supply network, which the police are actively probing.