An unidentified individual allegedly set fire to the computer lab at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay on New Year’s Eve (December 31), police said on Saturday.
The incident resulted in damage to six computers, four chairs, a projector and screen, and two air-conditioners, causing a loss of Rs1.5 lakh.
According to the police, the suspect poured a kerosene-like substance into the lab and set it ablaze. The Powai police registered a case on January 3 against an unidentified individual under Section 326(f) (mischief involving injury, fire, or explosive substances) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
According to the FIR, Pankaj, a PhD student, noticed smoke coming from the lab at around 8.45pm on December 31. He informed Assistant Professor Chandrashekhar Tyagrajan, 33. Tyagrajan rushed to the scene. By then security guard Rajendra Yadav had notified the fire brigade, which arrived and controlled the situation.
Tyagrajan reported the incident to the police, who conducted a site inspection (punchnama) and confirmed that a flammable substance had been used to start the fire. Based on Tyagrajan’s complaint, the police registered the case.
Senior inspector Jitendra Sonavane stated, “We registered the case immediately after IIT Bombay filed a complaint with us. This appears to be a deliberate act of mischief. We are examining CCTV footage and actively investigating the matter.”
IIT Bombay’s public relations department stated that the police were investigating the matter. When asked whether the act was intentional, the department clarified that the police would determine that through their investigation.
