Update on the Powai RA Studio Hostage Crisis: Accused Shot Dead, All Hostages Rescued Safely

The tense hostage situation that unfolded at RA Studio in Mumbai's Powai area on Thursday has concluded. All hostages were rescued safely, but the captor, identified as Rohit Arya (previously referred to as Rohit), was shot by police commandos during the rescue operation and later succumbed to his injuries.

Key Updates and Resolution

• Hostages Rescued: A total of 19 people were held captive, including 17 children (mostly aged between 10 and 17) and two adults (including one senior citizen). All were safely rescued by the Mumbai Police's Quick Reaction Team (QRT) after an operation that lasted approximately 35 minutes. They were taken for medical check-ups and then handed over to their guardians.

• The Captor: The accused, Rohit Arya (reportedly 38 to 50 years old), was an employee at the studio who also ran a YouTube channel. He had lured the children to the studio under the pretext of conducting auditions for a web series.

• The End of the Standoff: After police negotiations failed, and Arya repeatedly threatened to harm the children, a Quick Reaction Team (QRT) stormed the first-floor studio room through a small entry point (reportedly a bathroom window). Arya, who was armed with an air gun and had chemicals and a lighter in his possession, allegedly opened fire on the commandos. The police retaliated, shooting Arya, who was then rushed to the hospital but later declared dead.

• Motive: The hostage-taking was reportedly driven by Rohit Arya's long-standing grievances against the Maharashtra government, particularly the Education Department, over alleged non-payment and lack of credit for his social initiatives, like the 'Swacchata Monitor' concept, for which he claimed ₹2 crore in pending dues.

The Demands and Threat

• Video Statement: Rohit Arya released a video demanding to speak to "certain people." In the chilling clip, he stated he chose this drastic action over suicide and insisted his demands were "moral and ethical," not financial.

• Threats: He explicitly warned authorities not to provoke him, threatening to set the place on fire and harm the children if his demands for a discussion were not met.

The Mumbai Crime Branch has taken over the investigation into the case.