Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad on Thursday described the hostage incident in Mumbai’s Powai area, which ended with the rescue of 19 people, including 17 children, and the death of the suspect, as deeply disturbing and indicative of a decline in the city’s law and order situation.

The suspect who was identified as 50-year-old Rohit Arya, was fatally shot by police during the operation.

Varsha Gaikwad stated that Arya had previously worked on significant projects with the Maharashtra Education Department.

Criticising the BJP-led Mahayuti government, the Lok Sabha MP from Mumbai North Central alleged that official negligence had put the lives of children at risk during the hostage crisis, which unfolded inside a studio in the afternoon.

Mumbai Congress chief Gaikwad said, “The manner in which Arya created an atmosphere of terror by holding children hostage in Powai was deeply disturbing. He had worked on major projects with the Maharashtra Education Department and claimed he was owed Rs 2 crore, for which he had protested previously. Due to government negligence, many children’s lives were endangered today,” according to the PTI.

She further questioned the government, asking, “What answer will it provide to the children and their parents? Law and order in Mumbai is deteriorating day by day.”

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel met the anxious parents following the incident.

Meanwhile, the police on Thursday evening said that all the children were safely rescued and handed over to their guardians.

पवई में जिस तरह से बच्चों को बंधक बनाकर रोहित आर्य नामक व्यक्ति ने दहशत का माहौल पैदा किया वह विचलित कर देने वाला था। रोहित आर्य महाराष्ट्र शिक्षा विभाग के साथ बड़े प्रोजेक्ट्स में काम किया था और उसका कहना था कि उसके 2 करोड़ रुपए बक थे, इसके लिए उसने इसके पहले आंदोलन भी किया था।… pic.twitter.com/432gjDL4YF

— Prof. Varsha Eknath Gaikwad (@VarshaEGaikwad) October 30, 2025

Sources said that the children were rescued after a tense hour-long standoff at R A Studio in Powai area of suburban Mumbai.

After the police action, Arya was rushed to the Jogeshwari Trauma Centre, where he was declared dead, they said.

“At around 1:30 pm, Powai Police Station received information that a person had taken 17 children hostage at Mahavir Classic building in Powai. The Mumbai Police team conducted a rescue operation and safely freed all the children. During the operation while rescuing children the person got injured, was immediately rushed to the hospital, and was later declared dead,” Mumbai Police said in an official statement on Thursday.

Sources said that Arya`s postmortem will be conducted on Friday at the JJ Hospital and it will be recorded by the police for further investigations.

(with PTI inputs)

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