Mumbai, Oct 30 (NationPress) Rohit Arya, the deceased individual involved in the hostage crisis at a Mumbai studio, was reportedly compelled to resort to this drastic action to retrieve Rs 2 crore. This amount was owed for his contributions to a project for the school education department during the administration of former Maharashtra Minister Deepak Kesarkar.

Arya tragically lost his life due to gunshot injuries following a tense shootout at RA Studio in Powai, where he held 19 hostages, including 17 minors auditioning for acting roles, for two hours starting at approximately 1:45 p.m. on Thursday, according to police reports.

It appears that he aimed to attract the attention of high-ranking government officials, including Kesarkar, in order to expedite the release of his Rs 2 crore payment for the “Swachhta Monitor” school project initiated in 2023.

Arya, a resident of Pune, had previously attempted to highlight his issue multiple times to the authorities regarding his overdue payments but had seen no resolution, as stated by sources.

During the standoff, he recorded a video message declaring, “I am not a terrorist… I am not asking for money. I simply wish to communicate with certain individuals.”

He further expressed that he felt driven to despair, yet instead of choosing to end his life, he sought to engage with the individuals he wanted to contact through this “hostage plan.”

The perpetrator claimed he was compelled to act in this manner to force specific people to engage with him, threatening to ignite the studio and harm the hostages if his demands were unmet, the police reported.

The standoff concluded with the safe rescue of 17 children and two other individuals, while Arya succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.

Former education minister Kesarkar insisted that his name was being brought into the situation without justification.

He stated to reporters, “Rohit Arya presented a concept named ‘Swachhta Monitor’ and received a contract as part of the ‘Mera School Ek Sunder School Hai’ initiative. However, he engaged in some direct financial dealings.”

“He should have approached the department to resolve the issue as he was executing government work… there are established protocols for such official matters,” Kesarkar remarked.

“Holding individuals hostage is not a viable solution, as we all must adhere to established norms,” he added.

Arya was an employee at the studio where the hostage situation occurred and was reported to be experiencing mental health challenges, according to police accounts.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Dutta Nalawade indicated that law enforcement had to breach the studio via a toilet window, as Arya showed no intent of releasing the hostages.

The confrontation escalated when Arya fired at the police using an air gun, according to authorities.

Arya, who passed away during medical treatment, was found to have been armed with an air gun, chemicals, and a lighter, which he threatened to use to set the building ablaze if his demands to speak with Kesarkar and others were not met.

The Mumbai Police were alerted to the unlawful confinement situation when some hostages, attending acting classes on the upper floor, managed to signal for help.

The operation to resolve the hostage crisis lasted about 30 minutes and caused considerable alarm in the Powai area, prompting police to establish a security perimeter around the studio and evacuate the public.

A Quick Reaction Team (QRT) was dispatched to the scene due to concerns regarding a potential terror connection.

The studio, known for its acting classes, became the backdrop for the “hostage episode” after approximately 100 children arrived for auditions earlier that day, according to police reports.