MUMBAI, INDIA – A tense, hours-long hostage standoff in Mumbai’s Powai area came to a dramatic and successful close today, as police stormed a local studio, neutralising the hostage-taker and securing the safety of 17 young children and two adults. The accused, identified as Rohit Arya, a self-proclaimed filmmaker, was shot dead during the rescue operation after allegedly firing on police personnel.
The incident, which unfolded at RA Studio in the Mahavir Classic building, captivated and horrified the city. What started as an audition for young actor aspirants, aged between 13 and 17, quickly turned into a terrifying ordeal that was only resolved by the swift and decisive action of the Mumbai Police.
The Hostage Crisis Begins
The crisis began around 1:45 p.m. when the Powai police control room received a distress call. Rohit Arya, who had gathered the children for an alleged ad shoot audition, had barricaded himself and 19 others—17 children, a senior citizen, and another adult—inside the studio.
During the initial phase of the standoff, Arya released a chilling video message on social media. In the video, he identified himself and stated he had chosen this act instead of dying by suicide, claiming to have “simple demands, moral demands, and ethical demands” and wanting to speak to certain people about “systemic betrayal” and “pending work-related dues.” He repeatedly warned against any police interference, threatening to set the studio on fire and harm himself and the children if his unspecified demands were not met. He insisted he was “not a terrorist” and was not seeking money, but his escalating threats raised immediate alarm among authorities.
Police Plan and Execute Daring Rescue
Mumbai Police, along with fire brigade and medical teams, swiftly cordoned off the area. Recognising the extreme danger posed by Arya’s mental state and his threats of self-immolation and violence, senior police officials made the crucial decision to launch a forced entry operation rather than prolonging negotiations.
Around 2:30 p.m., Inspector Vijay Salunke and his team executed the daring plan. They reportedly broke open a bathroom grill to gain access to the locked studio, immediately confronting the armed suspect. During the intervention, a shot was fired. Police later confirmed that Arya fired at the officers using an air gun, prompting a defensive return of fire. Arya sustained a gunshot wound and was immediately rushed to a hospital for medical examination, where he was pronounced dead.
Triumph of Coordinated Action
The immediate priority of the police was the safety and evacuation of the hostages. Despite the intense danger of the situation, the coordinated efforts of the rescue team ensured that all 17 children and the two adults were brought out unharmed.
Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Satyanarayan Chaudhary confirmed the success of the mission, stating, “All 17 children are safely rescued from the studio. Prima facie, the motive behind the act appears to be related to some pending work-related dues. We are investigating further.”
The rescued children, who had travelled from various parts of Maharashtra, were safely evacuated in a school bus and later reunited with their distraught but immensely relieved parents and guardians. Authorities also recovered an air gun and some unidentified chemical substances from the studio, which the accused had allegedly planned to use to carry out his threats.
The incident is a powerful testament to the courage, precision, and efficiency of the Mumbai Police force. Their rapid and well-executed response prevented a potential major tragedy, turning a chilling hostage crisis into a moment of relief and gratitude for the city.
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