A tense standoff gripped Mumbai on Wednesday when a man identified as Rohit Arya held 17 children hostage inside RA Studio in the city’s Jogeshwari area. The situation began in the afternoon and continued for several hours, prompting a massive police operation and widespread panic among locals and parents.
Rohit Arya Dies After Holding 17 Children Hostage at Mumbai’s RA Studio
According to initial reports, Arya entered the studio premises under suspicious circumstances and suddenly locked the children inside a room. Witnesses said he appeared disturbed and was shouting erratically while making unclear demands. Police soon cordoned off the area, bringing in negotiators and a Quick Response Team (QRT) to handle the crisis.
Senior police officers lauded the swift and coordinated response of the rescue team
After several tense hours, the police launched a rescue operation. During the confrontation, Rohit Arya sustained a bullet injury in crossfire and was rushed to the hospital, where he later succumbed to his wounds. All 17 children were safely rescued and given medical attention before being reunited with their families.
Officials are now probing Arya’s background to determine whether he had any mental health issues or a criminal past. Early indications suggest that he might have been under extreme psychological stress. Investigators are also trying to ascertain how he managed to enter the studio and take control of the premises.
Senior police officers lauded the swift and coordinated response of the rescue team, crediting their composure for ensuring that no child was harmed. “It was a sensitive and high-pressure situation, but the team executed the rescue with precision,” said a senior Mumbai Police official.
Parents waiting outside the studio expressed immense relief and gratitude towards the police force. Many described the incident as “a nightmare” and called for stricter security measures at public and private facilities.
The shocking episode has once again brought urban safety and mental health awareness into focus. Experts have urged the government to strengthen psychological support systems and improve crisis intervention protocols to prevent similar tragedies.
The Mumbai Police have launched a full-scale investigation and are expected to release a detailed report on the sequence of events leading up to the RA Studio hostage crisis.