Mumbai—A tense, three-hour hostage crisis at a recording studio in Powai ended in tragedy and relief on Thursday afternoon. A quick-response team (QRT) of Mumbai Police commandos successfully rescued 17 children, a 75-year-old woman, and a studio staffer who were held captive. The captor, identified as filmmaker and social activist Rohit Arya (38), was shot by police in the ensuing exchange of fire and later succumbed to his injuries at a hospital.

The Timeline of the Siege

The incident unfolded at the RA Studio in Powai, where the children, mostly young aspirants from across Maharashtra, had been called for what they believed was a film audition.

The Captor’s Motive: Unpaid Dues and Denied Credit

Police and investigators are currently focused on Arya’s long-standing grievances with the state government as the primary trigger for the extreme act.

• The Project: Arya was the director of Project Let's Change—Swachhata Monitor, a cleanliness awareness program adopted by the Maharashtra School Education Department during the tenure of former Minister Deepak Kesarkar.

• The Claim: Arya alleged that the government owed him nearly ₹2 Crore in dues for his work and that his concept was effectively "hijacked" and implemented without credit or payment, despite previous protests and hunger strikes.

• The Official Response: Former Minister Deepak Kesarkar confirmed that he had met Arya and even gave him a personal cheque out of sympathy. However, the Education Department stated that Arya failed to submit the proper documentation and accounting for funds he had allegedly collected from some schools, making the ₹2 crore claim invalid under government procedure.

• The Threat: In a video released during the standoff, Arya insisted, “I am not a terrorist, nor do I have any demand of money. I have very simple demands, very moral, ethical demands.” He warned authorities that any "wrong move" would trigger him to set the premises on fire. Inside the studio, police recovered the air gun, flammable chemicals, and a lighter.

Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti:

"Regardless of his demands, we couldn't let him play with lives. He fired first at police. Our team fired back in self-defence. There was no other option. Our team's response was measured and as per protocol."

⚖️ Post-Encounter Action: Magisterial Inquiry Initiated

Following the death of Rohit Arya during the police operation, a mandatory legal process has been initiated to ensure transparency and accountability.

• Mandatory Inquiry: A Magisterial Inquiry has been ordered, a standard procedure for any death resulting from police action or encounter. This inquiry is an independent, non-police probe led by a Magistrate to verify the exact sequence of events that led to Arya’s death.

• Crime Branch Probe: The broader investigation into the hostage-taking incident, including the fake audition setup and Arya’s meticulous planning (installing motion sensors, turning CCTVs), has been transferred to the Mumbai Police Crime Branch.

• Focus of the Probe: The inquiry's core mandate is to establish that the police's use of force was necessary, measured, and the last resort for saving the lives of the captive children and adults.

The situation remains under active investigation by specialized teams. The rescued children and their families were handed over to their guardians after receiving trauma care and medical clearance.