Mumbai, Oct 31 (NationPress) The deceased hostage-taker Rohit Arya exhibited extreme caution regarding his safety, transforming his Powai-based RA Studio into a virtual stronghold, likely to hold his victims for an extended period, according to a senior source from the Mumbai Police on Friday.

Arya's obsession with security was evident as he armed himself with an air gun, an electroshock weapon, and a self-defense stick, along with a variety of security devices, as reported by the police.

Following the hostage situation that culminated in Arya's death during a police shootout and the rescue of 17 young auditioners and two others, authorities searched Arya's office, uncovering indications of a potential plan to unlawfully keep the victims confined for several days.

Alongside motion detectors and a central shutter lock, the premises had been fortified by the 50-year-old filmmaker to hinder outside access or manage the exit of individuals from the office, stated a police official.

“The stairs and the room where the children were held captive were equipped with motion sensors and CCTV cameras capable of capturing audio-video footage,” the police added, noting that the air gun used to assault the police was also recovered post the brief exchange of fire on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Arya's wife, Anjali, from Pune, alleged systemic injustice and echoed her husband's claim that the Maharashtra government’s Education Department owed him over Rs 2 crore for an urban sanitation and cleanliness initiative led by his company, Apsara Media Entertainment Network.

Anjali informed reporters that her husband was engaged in a struggle to reclaim the promised funds and acknowledgment for his contributions.

Maharashtra School Education Minister Dadaji Bhuse stated that a comprehensive report has been requested from the department regarding Arya's allegations of being deceived by the Education Department, asserting that the state owed him Rs 2 crore.

School Education Secretary Ranjit Singh Deol clarified that there was no agreement to compensate Rohit Arya Rs 2 crore for the project.

“He volunteered for the work and received a certificate for his efforts. Subsequently, discussions were held with the state government to implement the 'My Shala, Sundar Shala' program, but it did not come to fruition. The Maharashtra government does not owe Rohit Arya any payments,” he stated.

Former State School Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar also weighed in on the issue.

“During my tenure as School Education Minister, I personally assisted Rohit Arya. I provided him with funds via cheque. However, all formalities must be completed for government payments. Thus, I do not believe his claim of a Rs 2 crore entitlement is accurate. He should have confirmed with the department and submitted the necessary documents,” Kesarkar commented.

“Rohit Arya was overseeing a project called ‘Swachha Monitor’. He participated in the government’s campaign. However, the department stated he had directly collected fees from some children. Arya refuted this, stating he had not collected any such fees. He should have addressed the department to resolve the matter. It is unacceptable to hold children hostage like this,” he remarked.