Mumbai witnessed a tense hostage crisis on Thursday when Rohit Arya, 50, held 19 people — including 17 children — captive at RA Studio in Powai, leading to his death in a police encounter. The three-hour-long standoff began around 1:30 p.m., throwing the bustling Powai area into panic as emergency teams surrounded the Mahavir Classic building.

Attempt to recover pending Rs 2 crore

According to police and sources, Rohit Arya, a Pune resident, was reportedly frustrated over non-payment of Rs 2 crore for work done under the “Swachhta Monitor” project in 2023, commissioned by the school education department during the tenure of former Maharashtra Minister Deepak Kesarkar.

He had allegedly tried multiple times to recover his dues before resorting to the drastic act, hoping to draw attention from influential government officials.

“I am not a terrorist,” Arya said in video

Before police intervention, Arya released a video explaining his motive.

“I am not a terrorist, nor am I seeking money. I wish to talk to some people,” he said, adding that he was “pushed to suicide” but chose instead to “reach out” through the hostage plan.

In the video, Arya warned authorities that any wrong move could trigger him to “set the whole place on fire.” He said his demands were “very simple, moral and ethical.”

Police storm studio through toilet window

Police negotiators failed to convince Arya to surrender peacefully. Deputy Commissioner of Police Datta Nalawade said the rescue team entered through a toilet window, ending the standoff in a 30-minute operation.

Arya fired at police using an air gun, prompting officers to open fire in response. He was critically injured, rushed to hospital, and later declared dead at 5:15 p.m.

The police said Arya had chemicals and a lighter, threatening to ignite the building if denied talks with Kesarkar and others.

17 children rescued safely

All 17 children, aged between 10 and 12, and two adults were rescued unharmed. The children were attending acting auditions at the studio when Arya locked them inside. Several of them managed to signal for help from the windows, alerting passersby and the Powai police station.

Parents gathered anxiously outside as the Quick Response Team (QRT), Bomb Disposal Squad, and fire brigade sealed off the area.

Kesarkar denies link to crisis

Former minister Deepak Kesarkar distanced himself from the controversy, saying,

“Rohit Arya had come with a concept called ‘Swachhta Monitor’. He was given a contract under the ‘Mera School Ek Sunder School Hai’ campaign. However, he indulged in some direct monetary dealings.”

Kesarkar added, “He should have spoken to the department and resolved the matter. Holding people hostage is not a solution.”

Political reactions over law and order

Mumbai Congress president Varsha Gaikwad criticised the state government, alleging administrative negligence.

“Due to this negligence, the lives of many children were put in danger today,” she said.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the home portfolio, said details of the incident would be shared soon.

Panic and relief in Powai

The hostage situation, which unfolded at a well-known acting studio in Powai, caused widespread panic before ending with relief as all hostages were rescued. Rohit Arya, however, succumbed to his injuries, leaving behind troubling questions about his mental state and the unresolved Rs 2 crore dispute that seemingly drove him to the extreme.