Mumbai: In a major development in the Powai hostage crisis, Rohit Arya — the man who held 17 children hostage inside a Powai acting studio on Thursday — has died after sustaining bullet injuries during an exchange of gunfire with police. Authorities confirmed that Arya succumbed to the wounds following the shoot-out. All children were rescued safely during the operation.
Earlier in the day, panic gripped RA Studios in Powai after Arya locked nearly 17 children inside the premises and threatened to set the place on fire if anyone intervened. In a video posted prior to the incident, he claimed he was not a terrorist and said he had “simple, moral demands” and “just wanted answers.”
Parents gathered outside the studio as frightened children were seen at the windows. Mumbai Police and fire officials launched a swift rescue using hydraulic breaching tools and safely evacuated the minors. An air gun and chemicals were recovered from the location.
Arya had reportedly warned that any “wrong move” by authorities could “trigger” him — remarks that drew parallels to hostage thrillers as the standoff unfolded.
Police are continuing the investigation to understand Arya’s motives and events leading up to the crisis.
