‘Driven To Desperation’: Wife And Neighbours Express Shock As Rohit Arya Shot Dead In Mumbai Hostage Horror

Mumbai Hostage Incident: Neighbours of Rohit Arya, the mastermind behind the Mumbai hostage horror, expressed shock and disbelief after he was shot dead by Mumbai Police following a tense three-hour standoff in Powai.

Arya was shot dead on Thursday for allegedly holding 17 children and two adults at RA Studio in the Mahavir Classic building, where the victims had been reportedly lured under the pretence of an ‘audition’.

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Family Cites Financial Stress, Neighbours Express Shock

Speaking to The Indian Express, Rohit Arya’s wife, Anjali Arya, said he had been under financial stress due to alleged unpaid government project dues, which she said drove him to “desperation.” Neighbours, however, recalled Arya’s “calm and composed” demeanour, expressing shock over the violent turn of events.

“He was heading the PLC Swachhta Monitor project. Kesarkar saheb had appreciated it and said the government would sanction ₹2 crore for implementation. The work was completed, but Rohit never received the payment, not even formal recognition,” Anjali Arya said.

According to The Indian Express, Arya had previously run a small cafe called ‘Jelly’s Cafe’ in Pune, which closed down a few months ago. Shopkeepers near the cafe expressed surprise at the news.

“I am completely shocked. We only had brief greetings when he came by,” a shopkeeper told The Indian Express. Another recalled Arya mentioning a trip to Mumbai for a protest, though they did not know the details.

Arya reportedly lived in a nearby building before moving out a year or two ago. A former neighbour described him as, “He was a normal person. He used to talk, just like you and I are talking. I did not have much interaction with him.”

“He was a calm and composed man. He used to interact with us like everyone else. I never thought something like this would happen. I have doubts about the version that has come out to the public,” another resident said.

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While Arya was negotiating with the authorities, he released a video stating that he did not intend to harm anyone, but wanted to highlight the Rs 2 crore payment he claimed was owed to him.

“My demands are simple and moral and ethical. I am not a terrorist and do not have any monetary demands, and my demands are not immoral at all,” Arya said.