• Source:JND
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Mumbai Children Hostage: Rohit Arya, who took 19 persons, including 17 teenage children, hostage during an audition at a studio in Mumbai's Powai on Thursday, was shot dead in a retaliatory firing by the city police. Arya released a video in which he demanding that he be allowed to speak to a few people. The children were soon rescued by the Police and handed over to their guardians.  

Police tried to negotiate with Arya, but as the talks made no headway, a police team entered the studio through the bathroom and attempted to overpower him with the help of another person who was present inside, DCP Nalawade said. 

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Dinesh Goswami, who was present at the spot, said, "An audition was ongoing here for the past 3 days, the man (Rohit Arya) extended it by 3 more days. Suddenly, a message was received that he kidnapped 17 children. When these children did not come out for lunch, the parents panicked. Someone might have called up the Police. When the Police reached here, it was found that the children had been kidnapped. Mumbai Police team went in and safely rescued the children...It should be investigated whether the studio is legal or illegal, the perpetrator should be given strict punishment."

Accused Invited Children For Audition

Arya had apparently called the children -- boys and girls around 15 years old -- for an audition for a web series, the official said. He was also carrying an air gun and some chemicals, he added.

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Police received a call at about 1.45 pm about a man holding children hostage inside RA Studio in Mahavir Classic building, said Deputy Commissioner of Police Datta Nalawade.

Powai police officials, along with a Quick Response Team (QRT), Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad and a fire brigade team reached the spot.

What Police Said On The Hostage Incident

Satyanaranyan, Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order), said all the children were safe and had been handed over to their parents.

"It was a challenging operation, because we were negotiating with him without any positive outcome....To save the children's lives was our priority," Nalawade said, adding that further investigation was underway. Police are probing Arya's background, the DCP said.

What Did Arya Say In Video Message?

The accused released a video on social media, saying he wanted to speak to a few people and ask them questions, and he did not want money. If he was not allowed to do so, he would set fire to the studio, he threatened.
(With PTI inputs)

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