Hostage Crisis in Powai: 20 Children Rescued, Accused Rohit Arya Detained After Two-Hour Standoff
About 20 children were held hostage in a studio in Mumbai’s Powai area; police intervened and detained the accused, Rohit Arya, after a tense two-hour stand-off.
Pune, October 31, 2025: A serious hostage situation unfolded in the early afternoon at a studio located in Mumbai’s Powai neighbourhood when a man held approximately 20 children captive, forcing authorities into high-alert mode. Police responded swiftly and managed to rescue all the children safely after a nearly two-hour standoff with the accused, identified as Rohit Arya.
According to available information, the incident began when children — who had reportedly gathered at the premises for what appeared to be an audition — were prevented from leaving the studio. A senior citizen and one other adult were also taken hostage, raising the total number of captives to 19–20.
Rohit Arya released a chilling video prior to or during the incident in which he declared that he was “not a terrorist” and made it clear he did not seek ransom but demanded “moral answers” from unspecified persons. He threatened to set fire to the location if provoked and insisted on being allowed to speak to certain individuals.
The rescue operation was conducted by the local police in coordination with the fire brigade and special units. Officials used hydraulic tools to gain access, forced entry into the premises and secured the children unharmed. A weapon resembling a gun and unexplained chemical substances were recovered at the scene. No children were reported injured.
The motive behind the act is still under investigation. Preliminary statements by police suggest Arya may have been mentally unstable, and his earlier communication hinted at grievances involving local authorities or institutions. The authorities are also probing whether misuse of the studio’s audition setup played a role in luring children to the premise.
The incident has generated concern among parents and within the local community. Eyewitnesses said children looked visibly frightened, some peering out from glass windows as the crisis unfolded. Multiple parents had gathered outside upon noticing that their children had not emerged at the anticipated time.
In the aftermath, police have detained Arya and started questioning him. The children have been reunited with their guardians, and officials are collecting forensic evidence, reviewing the studio’s security arrangements, and examining how the situation escalated unnoticed until it reached a critical level.
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