Who was Rohit Arya who held 17 kids hostage inside…., Why did he say ‘I’m not a terrorist’?

Mumbai Hostage Crisis: Mumbai Police successfully rescued all 17 children who were held hostage in Mumbai’s Powai area on Thursday. The accused, who was later identified as Rohit Arya lured the kids for an audition. He was injured with bullet wounds during an exchange of gunfire with cops. Arya started firing at police team who forcibly entered the studio through a bathroom. In retaliation, cops fired back, in which he sustained a bullet injury. Rohit Arya was rushed to a hospital but died during treatment. But do you know who was Rohit Arya and why he held 17 kids hostage?

Who Was Rohit Arya?

The accused, who was identified as Rohit Arya, appeared to be mentally ill, as per Powai senior police inspector Jeevan Sonawane. Before the incident, he shared a video on social media, demanding to speak to former Maharashtra education minister Deepak Kesarkar regarding his payments. In the video, Arya threatened to set the children on fire and harm himself if he was not allowed to talk.

Rohit Aryawas was arrested after cops shot him. He was rushed to a hospital with a bullet injury and died during treatment. According to Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Satyanarayanan, the accused was holding what appeared to be a gun.

As per initial reports, Rohit Arya was an employee at the studio, where he held 17 children hostage. He was also a YouTuber and ran a YouTube channel. For a few days, the accused had reportedly been conducting auditions at the studio.

As per a report by India(BHARAT) Today, Arya hailed from Pune. He got a contract for a school project linked to Maharashtra’s education department during the tenure of former Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar.

What Did Rohit Arya Say In The Video?

Before the incident, Arya released a video on social media, stating that instead of dying by suicide, he had made a plan to hold some children hostage.

“I am Rohit Arya and instead of dying by suicide, I have made a plan and I am holding some children hostage here. I don’t have many demands; I have very simple demands, moral demands, ethical demands, and a few questions,” he said in the video.

Arya demanded to talk to some people as he had certain questions for them.

“I want to talk to some people, ask them questions. But I want these answers. I don’t want anything else. I’m not a terrorist, nor do I demand a lot of money, and I certainly don’t want anything immoral,” the accused further said.

Children taken hostage in Mumbai’s RA Studio building in Powai.
Cops in talk with suspect.

मुंबई के पॉवई में बड़ा हादसा
RA स्टूडियो में आरोपी रोहित आर्या ने बच्चों को बंधक बनाया है —
बताया जा रहा है कि उन्हें ऑडिशन के नाम पर बुलाया गया था।

पुलिस मौके पर है और बातचीत जारी… pic.twitter.com/lTi32T9wpn

Why Did Rohit Arya Say Department Owed Him Payment?

Arya alleged that the department owed him payment for PLC Sanitation Monitor Project. The project was launched under the Chief Minister’s My School, Beautiful School campaign. The accused claimed that the project part of his ‘Let’s Change’ campaign started back in 2013.

In the video he alleged that the department sanctioned Rs 2 crore for his work but didn’t pay him since last year. He had also gone to hunger strike twice in 2024, accusing government officials of sidelining him from the project. He further stated that he Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar assured him of payment for his work.

What Did Mumbai Police Say?

In a statement the Mumbai Police stated that the accused Rohit Arya seemed to be mentally unstable.

“A man, identified as Rohit Arya, has held a few children hostage in the Powai area of Mumbai. He has released a video purportedly saying that he wants to speak with a few people and if he is not allowed to do it, he will set everything on fire and harm himself and the children. The man seems to be mentally unstable and the Police are trying to handle the matter,” said Mumbai Police.

For the past few days, Rohit has been conducting auditions at the premises. Today, when as many as 100 children arrived for auditions at the studio, the accused allowed 80 to leave and kept 15-20 children hostage.

After the rescue operation, which lasted an hour, the police handed over the children to their parents.

Rohit Arya succumbed to a bullet injury at a hospital.

(Note: This is a developing story and further details will be added.)