Person sets fire to Bombay IIT computer lab, causing massive damage
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Mumbai: An unidentified individual set fire to a computer lab at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay on December 31, New Year’s Eve. The incident caused significant damage, destroying six computers, four chairs, a computer projector and screen, and two air conditioners. The total damage of the incident, which occurred between 6:15 pm and 8:45 pm, was estimated at Rs 1.50 lakh, The Free Press Journal reported.
Powai Police says that the suspect poured some inflammable substance into the lab to start the fire. They 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.
The FIR details that a PhD student, Pankaj, noticed smoke coming out of the lab around 8:45 pm on the day, and he immediately informed Assistant Professor Chandrashekhar Tyagrajan, 33, via mobile phone. The professor arrived immediately while students and other individuals opened the lab and found it filled with thick smoke.
Security guard Rajendra Yadav alerted the fire department, and they contained the fire. Once the smoke was cleared, Professor Tyagrajan and Head of Department A.H. Pradip inspected the damage.
It was after police inspection that it was found that the fire was started using some inflammable substance, and based on Tyagrajan’s complaint, they registered the case.
Police said that they are actively investigating the matter and are combining CCTV footage.