By Swastika Sahu
A significant incident occurred at the MIT Academy of Engineering (MITAOE) in Alandi, Pune, when a systems administrator reportedly disabled the entire college’s computer network and altered the super admin password over a disagreement regarding salary.
The police report that the institute’s IT systems, utilized for class schedules, fee payments, examinations, internal communication, and administrative duties, have been out of service for over 72 hours, significantly affecting students, faculty, and staff.
The situation came to light when the executive director of MITAOE filed a formal complaint at the Dighi Police Station, stating that the accused administrator seized control of the central server after not being paid for the last three months.
In order to put pressure on management over unpaid salaries, the accused reportedly held the system hostage. The inquiry is still going on, according to the police officers.
While there are attempts to get the suspect to come in for questioning, this is being conducted without him being in custody with the police.
In an effort to reduce disruptions in learning and to restore essential services, there is involvement of external technology experts on the part of the college management.
The police have quoted certain provisions of the Information Technology Act of 2000 and certain provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to criminal intimidation, mischief, and breach of trust. According to the officials, the accused has not been cooperating with the inquiry as well as with the college administration.
Police are currently searching for the suspect. He has not yet been caught. Administrators from the college explained the employee, who is scheduled to retire in about three months’ time, wants the issues regarding his pay settled. Police Inspector of Crime Vinayak Patil from Dighi Police Station is handling the case.