A tense afternoon unfolded in Mumbai’s Powai area on Thursday when a man identified as Rohit Arya (50) held 17 children and two adults hostage at RA Studio, located inside the Mahavir Classic building. The incident sparked massive panic in the area and led to a swift and coordinated police response that lasted nearly three hours.
According to officials, the ordeal began around 1:30 pm when Powai Police received a distress call reporting a man inside the studio armed with an air gun and chemicals. The children, aged 10 to 12, had been invited for an audition for a web series, which had been taking place over the past two days.
“I Am Not a Terrorist,” Claimed the Hostage-Taker
Before police intervention, Arya released a self-recorded video explaining his motives. In the clip, he said he had planned to “hold children hostage instead of committing suicide,” claiming he wanted to have “simple conversations” with certain people.
“I have very simple, moral, and ethical demands. I am not a terrorist, nor do I want money,” Arya said in the video. He warned that any “wrong move” by the authorities could lead him to “set the place on fire,” putting the children at risk.
Arya ended the video with an ambiguous statement that he wanted to “offer a solution” through talks but did not specify what problem he was referring to.
Police Action and Rescue Mission
Deputy Commissioner of Police Datta Nalawade said that after receiving the alert, teams from the Powai Police Station, Quick Response Team (QRT), Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS), and the fire brigade were immediately deployed.
Negotiation attempts continued for nearly two hours, but when talks failed to yield results, the police launched a rescue operation. Using a fire brigade ladder, officers entered the studio through a first-floor bathroom window to surprise the suspect.
“It was a challenging operation because we were negotiating with him without any positive outcome. Saving the children’s lives was our top priority,” said DCP Nalawade.
By 4:15 pm, all 19 hostages—including 17 children, one senior citizen, and one man—were safely rescued. Arya, who was injured during the police action, was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was declared dead at 5:15 pm.
Community in Shock, Political Reactions Follow
The incident left anxious parents waiting outside the 10-storey building for hours as police and emergency services worked to free their children.
Mumbai Congress President Varsha Gaikwad criticized the state government, alleging that the episode reflected a “deterioration in law and order.” She also claimed that Arya had previously worked on major projects with the Maharashtra Education Department and had been protesting over unpaid dues worth ₹2 crore.
“Due to government negligence, the lives of many children were put in danger today,” Gaikwad said.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the home portfolio, said that details of the incident would be shared soon after a complete review.
Police Probe Underway
Investigators are now examining Arya’s background, mental state, and possible grievances against the authorities. Early reports suggest that he had shown signs of psychological distress and had been active on social media, posting about his financial and professional struggles.
Officials confirmed that Arya was carrying an air gun, not a real firearm, though the chemicals found in the studio are being tested to determine whether they posed any real threat.
The Powai hostage crisis ended without loss of innocent lives thanks to the swift action by Mumbai Police and emergency teams. While the tragic death of Rohit Arya raises serious questions about mental health awareness and grievance redressal mechanisms, the successful rescue of all hostages stands as a testament to the city’s emergency response readiness.