Fake student spends 20 days at IIT Bombay using 21 email ids, multiple phone numbers

To avoid detection, Bilal Ahmed Teli allegedly created and used 21 different email IDs along with multiple phone numbers

A 22-year-old man from Mangaluru was arrested for allegedly impersonating a student and illegally residing on the campus of the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-Bombay) for nearly three weeks. The accused, identified as Bilal Ahmed Teli, reportedly entered the premier institution without authorisation and managed to evade detection for close to 20 days by attending lectures and sleeping in hostel rooms.

According to the police, Teli first entered the campus on May 27 to attend a one-day programme. However, instead of leaving after the event, he stayed on, attending classes during the day and using hostel facilities by night — despite not being enrolled at the institute.

The matter came to light on June 17 when Teli was found sitting in a classroom during an ongoing lecture. His presence aroused suspicion, and he was subsequently apprehended by campus authorities. The Powai police were notified and later took the man into custody.

To avoid detection, Teli allegedly created and used 21 different email IDs along with multiple phone numbers in a bid to avoid leaving a digital trail. His actions have triggered serious concerns regarding security protocols at IIT-Bombay, one of India’s most prestigious engineering institutions.

Following preliminary inquiries, the Powai police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Teli on June 21. On Wednesday, he was formally arrested and produced before a magistrate, who remanded him to 14 days of police custody.

The case has since been transferred to the Mumbai Crime Branch’s Crime Intelligence Unit for a more thorough investigation. Teli has been booked under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including those relating to cheating, forgery, and criminal breach of trust.

Officials have yet to disclose the motive behind the impersonation or whether Teli had carried out similar acts in the past. The institute and law enforcement agencies are now reviewing security measures to prevent future breaches.