Mumbai witnessed a chilling hostage crisis on October 30, 2025, when 17 children aged between 12 and 15 were held captive for over three-and-a-half hours inside a studio in Powai.
The accused, identified as Rohit Arya, a filmmaker and activist, lured the children to RA Studio at Mahavir Classic Building under the pretext of an audition and later held them hostage while demanding payment of alleged dues from the Maharashtra School Education Department.
The Hostage Situation
Armed with an air gun and an inflammable spray, Arya locked the children inside the studio and went live on social media, claiming he was not a terrorist but was forced to take this step to recover INR 2 crore supposedly owed to him by the state government.
Police officials said that after receiving an alert around 1:30 PM, a large team from the Mumbai Police and Quick Response Team (QRT) surrounded the building. After several rounds of negotiation, officers stormed the studio and rescued all 17 children safely, while Arya was shot dead during the operation.
According to investigators, Arya repeatedly told police that he had no intention of harming the children and only wanted to get his grievances addressed.
What Were Rohit Arya’s Claims?
In his last recorded video, Arya stated, “My demands are simple, moral, and ethical. I am not a terrorist and have no immoral intentions.” He claimed that the government owed him ₹2 crore for a cleanliness awareness initiative under the Majhi Shala, Sundar Shala programme.
Arya reportedly worked as the Project Director of Let’s Change – Swachhata Monitor, a school-level cleanliness drive approved on a pilot basis in 2022. Former education minister Deepak Kesarkar confirmed that Arya had approached him multiple times claiming non-payment for his work. Kesarkar also admitted to giving him some personal financial assistance last year.
Government’s Response
The Maharashtra School Education Department, however, issued a detailed statement denying Arya’s claims. Officials clarified that his demand for dues was unsupported by proper documentation or financial records. The department also revealed that Arya had collected registration fees from multiple schools for the Swachhata Monitor 2024–25 campaign without formal approval. Officials added that his submitted budget was vague and exaggerated, and hence no payments were sanctioned for 2024–25.
Following the operation, police recovered Arya’s air gun and inflammable materials from the scene. All children were unharmed but are now undergoing counselling and trauma support. The shocking incident has raised serious questions about studio safety, audition protocols, and monitoring of outsourced government initiatives. Authorities have initiated an internal review of Arya’s past projects and financial dealings.
CM Fadnavis praises Mumbai Police for swift action in Powai hostage case
Reacting to the Powai hostage crisis, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis described the incident as both ‘unprecedented and deeply concerning’, noting that 17 children were deceived and taken hostage under false pretenses. He praised the Mumbai Police for their swift, well-coordinated response, which ensured that every child was rescued unharmed.
Fadnavis highlighted that not a single child sustained any injury during the three-hour standoff and confirmed that the accused was killed in the police encounter. Commending the force’s bravery, he said the operation reflected the exceptional efficiency, courage, and professionalism of Mumbai Police in handling such a sensitive and high-pressure situation.
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