The Mumbai Police on Thursday (October 30, 2025) rescued 17 children and two others from an acting studio in Powai, where they were held captive by a man armed with an airgun and chemicals. The accused, Rohit Arya, 50, who was shot during the police operation, later died at a hospital. The children were aged between 10 and 15 years, and among the two adults, one was a senior citizen, the police said.
The incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. at R.A. Studio. The accused had reportedly called the children for auditions for a web series over the past few days. During the standoff, he released a video stating he had taken the children hostage to ask “moral and ethical questions”, the police said.
“I am Rohit Arya. Instead of (committing) suicide, I made a plan and have taken a few children hostage. I have very simple demands. Very moral, ethical demands. I have some questions.
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