Mumbai hostage crisis ends in encounter: Accused who held 17 children captive dies during treatment

According to police, Rohit had confined 17 children, a senior citizen, and another adult around 1:45 p.m. The Mumbai Police, along with special commando units, successfully rescued all hostages within an hour. An air gun and several chemical substances were recovered from the site, though Arya’s exact motive remains under investigation.

Hostage drama at RA Studio

Rohit Arya had reportedly invited more than 100 children to the studio under the pretext of holding acting auditions. Acting classes are regularly conducted on the first floor of the studio, where the children were trapped. Witnesses said some children were seen peering out of the windows and calling for help, prompting locals to alert authorities.

Police immediately cordoned off the area, deploying the ATS, fire brigade, and special commando teams. Negotiations with the accused failed, leading officers to enter the studio stealthily through the bathroom. During the operation, Arya allegedly used the children as human shields and fired at the police. Officers retaliated, injuring him fatally.

Statements and background

In videos circulating on social media, Arya identified himself and said he had taken the children hostage “instead of committing suicide.” He claimed he had “moral demands” and wanted to question certain individuals, insisting he was “not a terrorist” and had “no financial or immoral motives.” He also warned that he would set the studio on fire if provoked.

Possible motive and political links

Reports suggest Arya was frustrated with the Maharashtra government over non-payment related to a school development tender. He alleged that the state had used his concept and creative material for the ‘Mazi Shala, Sundar Shala’ scheme launched in 2022 without giving him due credit or compensation.

Former Maharashtra minister Deepak Kesarkar later stated that Arya had indeed been hired for school work and was paid for his services, calling the hostage act “unjustifiable.”

Aftermath and investigation

Arya was reportedly shot in the right side of his chest during the police operation. He was taken to JJ Hospital, where he was declared dead. His post-mortem will be conducted there.

Authorities have sealed off RA Studio for forensic examination, and the recovered chemicals and air gun will be analyzed. The police described Arya as appearing mentally unstable and are reviewing his communications and social media activity to determine the full motive behind the incident