Mumbai, October 30: In a dramatic turn of events on Thursday, Mumbai Police successfully rescued 19 people, including 17 children, who were held hostage at a studio in the Powai area. The suspect, identified as Rohit Arya, was fatally shot by police after he attempted to harm the children with an air gun during the rescue operation.
According to police officials, Arya, who had earlier released a video statement during the hostage crisis, was shot while trying to inflict harm on the captives. He later succumbed to the bullet wounds at a local hospital. “All the children are safe,” confirmed Satyanarayan, Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order).
The children, mostly boys and girls around 15 years old, had reportedly been invited by Arya for an audition for a web series. Authorities also found that Arya was carrying chemicals, in addition to the air gun. Police initially refrained from commenting on the specifics of the firing during the operation.
The situation began unfolding around 1:45 pm when the police received a distress call reporting that a man had taken children hostage inside R A Studio in the Mahavir Classic building. Acting quickly, Powai Police, along with a Quick Response Team (QRT), Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad, and fire brigade teams, rushed to the scene.
Before the police intervention, Arya posted a video on social media, claiming that he wanted to speak to certain individuals and ask them questions, but was not seeking money. He further threatened to set the studio on fire if his demands were not met.
Efforts to negotiate with Arya proved unsuccessful, leading the police to launch a rescue operation. Officers entered the building through the bathroom, eventually rescuing 17 children, a senior citizen, and another adult. “The operation was challenging, especially since negotiations yielded no positive results. The priority was to ensure the children’s safety,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police, Datta Nalawade.
Regarding the incident, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also oversees the home portfolio, stated that more details would be shared soon.Is this conversation helpful so far?
