(Image source from: ANI)
A man is claimed to have taken 19 individuals, which includes 17 kids, and kept them captive in Powai, Mumbai. The police shot him during the operation to save the hostages, and he later died from his injuries in the hospital.
All of the children were rescued safely and were returned to their families. The suspect, named Rohit Arya, works as a teacher in Nagpur. According to the Mumbai Police, Arya appears to be “mentally stable.” The police said, “He released a video claiming he wants to speak with a few individuals, and if that doesn't happen, he will set everything ablaze and harm both himself and the children.”
The suspect organized a fake audition for a web series and met with over 100 students in the previous four days. On Thursday morning, 17 students showed up for the audition at Arya’s studio. When the students did not come back, their parents contacted the police. Arya allowed 83 students to leave, but he held onto 17 as hostages along with two other individuals. He kept them on the ground and first floors of the studio in Powai. After receiving information about the hostage crisis at 1:45 PM, the police arrived at the studio and attempted to negotiate with Arya. However, their efforts to convince him failed, and they eventually forcefully entered the building.
Police officers accessed the studio through the bathroom. Arya shot at the police while using the children as shields. However, he was injured by police gunfire and was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
The police also discovered an air gun and some chemical substances, which will be analyzed by forensics. Before his capture, Arya filmed a video stating he wanted to speak to certain people, and if he wasn't allowed to, he would set everything on fire.
In the video, he said, “I am Rohit Arya, and instead of taking my own life, I've devised a plan and am holding children hostage here. I don’t have many requests; they are quite simple, moral, and ethical, along with a few questions I want to ask. I wish to talk to specific people and receive answers. I don't want anything else. I am not a terrorist, I don’t seek a lot of money, and I certainly don't want anything immoral."
