Mumbai Police Rescue 17 Children During Powai Studio Hostage Situation Suspect Killed

Mumbai police rescued 17 children and one adult after a tense hostage situation at Powai’s Ra Studio. Rohit Arya, 50, allegedly locked children in a room and threatened to harm them and himself. The children, aged 10 to 12, had come from various parts of Maharashtra for auditions. Arya recorded a video explaining his demands and warned that any wrong move would be dangerous. Police discovered he carried an air gun and stored chemicals while installing motion sensors in the studio. Arya had been seeking payments for his Swachhta Monitor Project under the state’s school campaign.

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Mumbai Background: Arya’s Dispute with the Government

The Maharashtra School Education Department confirmed Arya received Rs 9.9 lakh for the initial project phase in 2022. Phase two of the project was delayed because Arya’s proposals were deemed unacceptable by authorities. Despite this, Arya collected registration fees from schools without government approval, creating disputes with officials. Senior Inspector Jitendra Sonawane and DCP Datta Nalawade engaged Arya to convince him to release children. While Arya was distracted, Fire Brigade personnel and police entered the building using ladders and cut window grills.

A firefight ensued, and Arya was shot, later declared dead at a hospital, ending the crisis. All 17 children were rescued safely and reunited with their parents after initial medical checks. Authorities confiscated Arya’s air gun and chemicals, ensuring the studio was safe for further investigation. Parents noticed children were missing after their usual audition schedule and alerted police immediately. Children reportedly gestured for help, and their calm behavior helped police conduct a smooth rescue operation.He previously protested in Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur, claiming delayed government payments for his work.

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Eyewitness Accounts and Parents’ Reactions

Parents praised police and emergency personnel for their quick action in a dangerous situation. Officers confirmed all children received psychological counseling after the ordeal to address trauma. Eyewitnesses emphasized that prompt intervention prevented potential harm and resolved the hostage crisis effectively. School Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar confirmed making a cheque payment to Arya to settle disputes. Minister clarified Arya’s claims of Rs 2 crore in unpaid dues were inaccurate according to official records.

Authorities emphasized that payments are released only after completing required formalities and documentation. The government highlighted that Arya should have resolved his issues through proper channels instead of extreme actions. Officials confirmed a full investigation is ongoing to review Arya’s actions and adherence to legal procedures.

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