A man identified as Rohit Arya was shot dead by the Mumbai Police on Thursday after he held 17 children hostage inside a studio in the Powai area. He had demanded that he be allowed to speak to certain people. The children were successfully rescued by the Police and handed over to their guardians. Rohit succumbed to chest injuries during the police crossfire. The joint rescue operation carried out by Mumbai police and fire brigade lasted for around an hour.
Who Was Rohit Arya?
Rohit Arya, 50-year-old man was accused of keeping at least 17 children hostage in Powai. He was shot dead during the rescue operation. Mumbai police stated that Rohit had released a video claiming that he wanted to speak with certain people and threatened to set everything on fire and harm himself along with the children if his demand was not met. The officials added that man appeared to be mentally unstable and they were handling the situation carefully. According to Mumbai police, he was declared brought dead by HBT Hospital.
“A man, identified as Rohit Arya, has held a few children hostage in the Powai area of Mumbai. He has released a video purportedly saying that he wants to speak with a few people, and if he is not allowed to do it, he will set everything on fire and harm himself and the children. The man seems to be mentally unstable, and the Police are trying to handle the matter,” noted Mumbai police in a statement.
#WATCH | Maharashtra: Visuals from the spot in Powai area of Mumbai where a man, identified as Rohit Arya, held a few children hostage demanding that he be allowed to speak to a few people.
---Advertisement---The children were soon rescued by the Police and handed over to their guardians. The man… pic.twitter.com/6BHFR1PygP
— ANI (@ANI) October 30, 2025
Meanwhile, speaking to ANI, Dinesh Goswami, who was present at the spot, stated that an audition had been going on for the past three days and was extended by Rohit for three more days. However, the news of kidnapping broke and panic gripped the parents.
“An audition was ongoing here for the past 3 days, the man (Rohit Arya) extended it by 3 more days. Suddenly, a message was received that he kidnapped 17 children. When these children did not come out for lunch, the parents panicked. Someone might have called up the Police. When the Police reached here, it was found that the children had been kidnapped. Mumbai Police team went in and safely rescued the children…It should be investigated whether the studio is legal or illegal, the perpetrator should be given strict punishment,” Goswami stated.
Further details on the kidnapper’s identity is awaited.
Also Read: Powai: Man Holds Over 15 Children Hostage, Rescued by Mumbai Police; Accused killed in Encounter
