Mumbai: In a shocking turn of events, the man who kidnapped 19 persons, including 17 children, resulting in a hostage crisis in Mumbai is reported to have died after he succumbed to injuries.
During rescue operations, the police and security forces shot the 50-year-old man who had taken the19 person hostage in a studio in the Powai area of Mumbai on Thursday.
The suspect was identified as Rohit Arya.
All the 19 hostages are safe, according to officials of the Mumbai Police and BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation.
During the operation, Rohit Arya, who sustained gun-shot injuries, was rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead on admission.
The hostage crisis continued for around one-and-a-half to two years, according to police and eyewitnesses.
Arya had called the children to the RA Studio at the Mahaveer Classic building off the L&T Business Park-Gate No 5 on the pretext of auditioning for a web series.
In a video, Rohit Arya, was heard saying: “I am Rohit Arya and instead of dying by suicide, I have made a plan and I am holding some children hostage here. I don’t have many demands; I have very simple demands, moral demands, ethical demands, and a few questions….I want to talk to some people, ask them questions. But I want these answers. I don’t want anything else. I’m not a terrorist, nor do I demand a lot of money, and I certainly don’t want anything immoral.”
The Mumbai Fire Brigade launched a rescue operation, where they used hydraulic tools to cut open the grills and make way for the police.
“We have rescued 17 children, one senior citizen and another person,” Deputy Commissioner of Police Datta Nalawade said.
As soon as the Powai Police station got the information, a team rushed to the spot.
Simultaneously teams of Quick Reaction Team, Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad, Mumbai Fire Brigade and special units like Force One rushed to the spot.
The man has released a video threatening harm to the children. “I need to talk to some people…Instead of committing suicide, I have made a plan and have kept some kids hostage here. I am not a terrorist. I don't have many demands. I have very simple demands ... .if I have a counter-question on their answer, then I have to ask a counter question. But I want this answer. I don't want anything else,” he was seen saying in a video.
“Slightest wrong move from your side will trigger problems…I am not alone,” he said.
Nalawade said that even while negotiation was underway a team gained access by forced entry through the bathroom and rescued the hostages.
The hostages were kept confined on the ground floor of the studio.
Police said that some chemicals and an air-gun had been seized from the crime scene.
Forensic Science Laboratory team and police photographers and videographers have reached the site for spot panchnama.
Mumbai Police have launched a detailed investigation to understand how Arya managed to organize the fake audition and lure children to the studio.