An independent magisterial inquiry has been launched into the death of Rohit Arya, who was shot during a police operation to rescue 17 children and two adults allegedly held captive by him at a Mumbai recording studio on October 30.

The inquiry will run parallel to the investigation being carried out by the Mumbai Police Crime Branch, reported news agency PTI.

A senior police officer said on Monday that the magistrate will summon witnesses, record their statements, and prepare a detailed report on the incident.

The hostage situation broke out inside RA Studio, located in the Mahavir Classic building in Powai, between 1.30 pm and 5.15 pm on October 30. The operation ended with the safe rescue of all hostages but resulted in the death of 50-year-old Arya, who sustained a bullet injury during the police action and was declared dead at hospital.

Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Satyanarayan Chaudhary on Monday confirmed that a magisterial inquiry has been initiated into Arya`s death, as mandated by law and rulings of the Supreme Court, PTI reported.

“The magisterial inquiry is independent. The concerned magistrate will call witnesses, record statements, and submit a report,” he said.

Commenting on the hostage crisis, Chaudhary stressed that the safety of children and two adults was the sole priority of the police.

“It was a hostage situation concerning minor children for the police. The police`s priority was to rescue the kids safely and securely,” Chaudhary said.

He said the police decided to forcefully enter the studio after trying unsuccessfully for two hours to convince Arya to release the hostages.

“For over two hours, the police team tried to negotiate with him (Arya) and convince him to let the kids go and surrender. But he did not budge. He was constantly threatening to harm the children,” the officer said.

As Arya was allegedly carrying dangerous and harmful items such as inflammables and refusing to release the hostages, the police determined they “had to act and enter the premises”.

Chaudhary claimed Arya had fired first from his air gun, prompting a police officer to shoot him in retaliation.

“Arya shot his air gun, and one police personnel shot in retaliation,” Chaudhary said.

As part of the standard operating procedure (SOP), the formal investigation into Arya`s death has been transferred to the city police`s crime branch.

Chaudhary stressed that the police personnel involved in the hostage operation were properly prepared to handle such extreme scenarios.

“Our police personnel, including senior-level officials, are all trained in how to tackle such hostage situations,” he added.

Arya had planned the `operation` in advance, allegedly over the dues pending with the Maharashtra education department for a project. The government had rejected the claim.

As per a government resolution of the school education department dated January 25, 2024, Arya was the director of Project Let`s Change, which ran the Swachhta Monitor initiative from July 20 to October 2, 2023.

Under the initiative, school students were to act as `Swachhta (cleanliness)` monitors and discourage people from spitting and littering in public places. Around 64,000 schools and 59 lakh students participated in it.

According to police, Arya had conducted “auditions” for six days before October 30 for a `web series`. Children would be admitted to the studio at 10 in the morning and given a lunch break before the session ended at 8 in the evening.

However, on the day of the incident, children did not emerge during the lunch break, which made the parents worried.

In a video released before police intervention, Arya explained his motive, claiming he had made a plan to hold the children instead of dying by suicide.

“I have very simple demands. Very moral, ethical demands. I have some questions,” Arya said, adding, “I want to speak to some people… I want these answers. I am not a terrorist, nor do I have any demand for money. I want to make simple conversations”.

Arya`s videographer and witness, Rohan Aher, had stated that he had initially asked him to bring petrol and firecrackers, an instruction Aher ignored.

The situation turned alarming when Arya reportedly set fire to a rubber solution inside the studio, prompting Aher to run out for help and attempt a risky rescue of the trapped individuals.

Police sources indicate Arya, who had previously protested over alleged pending dues, had little contact with his family in recent years. 

(With PTI inputs)

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