Over a dozen children were held hostage by a man inside a studio in the Powai area of Mumbai following the police officials rushed to the spot and launched a rescue operation on Thursday afternoon.

“All the children are safe and have been rescued,” said Joint Commissioner of Police Satyanarayan Choudhary, adding that the children have been handed over to their guardians.

Sources said that the children were rescued after a tense hour-long standoff at R A Studio, located near the L&T building in Powai.

The suspect, identified as Rohit Arya has been taken into custody for further investigations, police said.

According to preliminary information from sources, the group of boys and girls, all around 15 years of age, had been invited to the studio for an ‘audition’. The situation escalated when Arya allegedly locked the children inside and began live-streaming a video on social media.

In the video, Arya can be seen saying that he wanted to speak to certain people and ask them questions, insisting that he did not want money. He threatened to set fire to the studio if his demands were not met.

Police negotiators and rescue teams acted swiftly, managing to bring all the children out safely and detain the man without injury, sources said.

An investigation into Arya’s motives and mental condition is underway, they said.

“A total of 17 children, 1 senior citizen, and 1 civilian was successfully rescued by the Powai Police. The accused has been placed under arrest,” said an official.

Further details were awaited.

Source