Man Arrested After Posing as Student at IIT Bombay
A significant security breach at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-Bombay) has resulted in the arrest of a 22-year-old man who successfully impersonated a student and lived on the campus illegally for nearly three weeks. The incident has not only shocked the academic community but has also raised serious questions about the security protocols at one of India’s most prestigious and guarded educational institutions.
An Uninvited Student
The accused, identified as Bilal Ahmed Teli from Mangaluru, first gained legitimate access to the sprawling Powai campus on May 27 to attend a one-day program. However, instead of departing after the event concluded, he made the audacious decision to stay. For the next 20 days, Teli seamlessly blended in with the student body, allegedly attending lectures during the day and using various hostel facilities at night to sleep, all without being officially enrolled or having any affiliation with the institute. His prolonged, undetected presence points to a major lapse in campus oversight.
A Web of Deceit
Teli’s ability to remain a ghost within the system was due to a calculated effort to avoid leaving a consistent digital trail. An investigation by campus authorities revealed that he had gone to great lengths to conceal his identity and activities. He reportedly created and used as many as 21 different email IDs and operated multiple phone numbers. This complex web of false information likely helped him bypass digital checkpoints and access campus resources while making it difficult for authorities to track his movements or verify his status.
Discovery and Investigation
The elaborate deception finally came to an end on June 17. Teli’s presence in a classroom during a lecture aroused the suspicion of others, who alerted campus authorities. He was subsequently apprehended and handed over to the Powai police. Following preliminary inquiries, a First Information Report (FIR) was registered, and Teli was formally arrested. He has since been remanded to police custody, and the high-profile case has been transferred to the Mumbai Crime Branch’s Crime Intelligence Unit for a more thorough investigation. He faces multiple serious charges under the Indian Penal Code, including cheating, forgery, and criminal breach of trust. Authorities are now focused on uncovering the motive behind his elaborate impersonation, as the institute reviews its security measures to prevent future breaches.
