Shocking! Children Held Under the Pretense of Acting; Threat of Fire, What's the Real Story?

In Brief

• Incident of 20 children being held captive in Mumbai-Powai...

• 17 children safely rescued by the police...

• Accused Rohit Arya in police custody...

In a shocking incident in a building in Powai, a person who had taken approximately 20 children hostage was arrested by the police at the scene. The police responded immediately and safely rescued the children. Before the incident, the accused identified himself as “Rohit Arya” on social media and through a video, and delivered a message. He stated that he was taking this step to engage in conversation with some people instead of committing suicide. In the video, he mentioned having “simple, moral, and ethical questions” and gave a dangerous warning that he would set the place on fire if a wrong step was taken. Even though he did not demand money, he stated, “I am not a terrorist.”

According to the police, the incident occurred in a studio on the ground floor of RA Studios. The children had come here for a film audition. The police have seized an airgun and some chemical substances from the scene. A joint team of the crime branch and local police acted promptly to rescue all the hostages.

In the preliminary investigation, it is suspected that this act was carried out in a planned manner. The police have started investigating the accused's past connections. Additionally, the police have advised maintaining vigilance over peace at the scene, taking note of the shock received by local residents and the children's parents. As this incident occurred in Mumbai, concern spread among citizens; it is being reviewed that a major untoward incident was averted due to the prompt action by the police. The inquiry and further investigation are ongoing.