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Hostage scare at Powai studio: Mumbai Police rescue 17 children after a dramatic standoff; the accused was shot dead in the firing. Get the full story, eyewitness details, police operation timeline, and what happened inside the Mumbai studio
In a tense and dramatic incident on Thursday afternoon, the Mumbai Police rescued 17 children from a studio in Powai after a man took them hostage. During the operation, the suspect was shot by police and later succumbed to his injuries. All children and the accompanying adults were safely rescued.
The Incident Unfolds
At approximately 1:45 p.m., Police Control Room (PCR) received a distress call that a man had locked several children inside a studio located in the Mahavir Classic building in Powai. The studio, known as RA Studio, was operating what appeared to be audition sessions, drawing numerous children and their families.
The caller said that the man inside threatened to harm the children if his demands were not met. Police teams from Zone 10, including quick response units and fire brigade backup, were dispatched immediately.
Inside the studio, the man—later identified as Rohit Arya—held 17 children (aged between approximately 12-15 years) and two adults (a senior citizen and a studio staffer) captive under the guise of auditions for a web series.
In a video released shortly after the standoff began, Arya declared:
“I am Rohit Arya… instead of dying by suicide I have made a plan and taken some children hostage here… I don’t want a lot of money, just a simple conversation. A slightest wrong move and I will set this place on fire.”
Police attempted negotiations for more than an hour, but Arya refused to release the children and reportedly brandished an air-gun and had chemical containers in his possession.
Rescue Operation & Police Response
After negotiations failed, the Police decided to launch a tactical entry. Officers broke into the studio via the bathroom area’s grill to reach the hostages. The presence of an air-gun and possible chemical threat made the situation highly volatile.
Shortly after entry, Arya fired at police officers. In the ensuing exchange, officers returned fire, hitting Arya in the chest. He was rushed to a hospital but later died of his injuries.
Meanwhile, all 17 children and the two adults were evacuated safely and handed over to their guardians. No injuries to the hostages were reported. A relieved police official remarked the operation was executed “with the safety of the children as our primary priority.”
The timeline of events, as pieced together:
- ~1:45 p.m.: Call received of hostage situation.
- ~2:00-2:15 p.m.: Negotiations attempted.
- ~2:30 p.m.: Tactical team begins entry.
- ~3:00-3:30 p.m.: Hostages rescued; suspect shot and taken to hospital.
Who is the Suspect: Rohit Arya
Authorities have identified the hostage-taker as Rohit Arya, a 45-year-old self-proclaimed filmmaker and YouTuber, originally from Nagpur but residing in Chembur, Mumbai. He also had ties to a studio in Powai and had been hosting auditions there for days before the incident.
According to records, Arya was part of a government-linked school infrastructure project (“Majhi Shala, Sundar Shala”) under the education department; however, he alleged that he was cheated of payment and claimed to be seeking moral and ethical redress.
In his video message during the standoff, he insisted:
“I am not a terrorist… I don’t want money… I just want to have a simple conversation and ask questions.”
Police sources state he appeared to be suffering from mental instability, but the full psychiatric assessment and motive remain under investigation.
Aftermath & Investigation
Following the resolution of the crisis, the Mumbai Police have launched an investigation into several angles:
- The motive behind the hostage‐taking and whether there were any accomplices.
- How children were lured into the studio under the guise of auditions and whether due diligence was followed by the studio.
- The chain of custody and legality of the air-gun, chemicals and the method of hostage rescue.
- Arya’s mental health, history of protests and possible links to grievances with state agencies.
Authorities are also reviewing safety protocols for studio audits, children’s participation in Mumbai’s film/acting industry and the regulation of such setups where minors gather. A senior officer said the event has “highlighted gaps” in regulatory oversight for areas where children are brought into unsupervised access.
Reactions & Community Response
The city was rattled by the incident, but many breathed a sigh of relief when all hostages emerged unscathed. Local residents, parents of the children and civic watchers called the police response “swift and effective.” One parent told reporters that her daughter returned pale but physically unharmed—“just shaken.”
The incident has triggered a broader conversation about the safety of children in audition-based environments. Industry insiders say that many studios offer “free auditions” and draw children in promising opportunities, but oversight is minimal. One child-rights expert said:
“The fact that 17 children were held hostage in such a scenario underscores how vulnerable the audition process is.”
Meanwhile, the Police emphasized they will conduct forensic testing of the chemicals recovered and will look into whether the building’s fire/escape norms were respected. They also pledged to issue guidelines for studios hosting children and to train more special teams for similar high-risk events.
Key Takeaways
- Children must be accompanied by parents/guardians during auditions and the premises should have documented safety protocols.
- Studios that draw minors should be verified and regulated.
- The Police tactical intervention shows that hostage situations—even with minors—can be resolved with minimal harm when planned and executed properly.
- While this incident ended without loss of hostage lives, the death of the accused draws questions about negotiation strategies, mental-health screening of individuals in such set-ups, and weapon access.
- Parents and guardians must ensure they verify credentials of any studio offering recruitment of minors, and the child must not be left unaccompanied or in unsupervised spaces.
What Happens Next?
Over the coming days, the Mumbai Police will:
- Submit a detailed incident report and forensic findings.
- Share the video evidence of Arya’s demands and any supporting documents.
- Decide on action (legal/regulatory) against the studio for possible negligence or non-compliance.
- Brief the state education/cultural ministries on regulatory steps to prevent similar incidents.
- Provide counselling to the rescued children and their families, acknowledging the psychological trauma.
For the city’s residents, this incident provides a reminder: even familiar environments like studios or audition halls can become unsafe when the chain of responsibility and oversight breaks down. While the brave response prevented tragedy, the root causes must be addressed.
Final Word
Thursday’s hostage scare in Powai turned what might have been a horrific child-trafficking or violent crime scene into a moment of relief—and a stark wake-up call. Seventeen children were brought to safety, but the manner in which they were lured and held captive underlines vulnerabilities built into Mumbai’s booming entertainment-audition economy. The death of the suspect further complicates the incident, deepening questions about mental health, access to weapons, and institutional safeguards.
Ultimately, the success of the rescue rests with the Mumbai Police—but the real challenge now lies in reform: making sure no child is left at risk because they were chasing a dream, and no studio misuses that aspiration to put lives in danger.
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