Rohit Arya: The Story of Mumbai Hostage-Taker

Rohit Arya, who took 17 children hostage on the pretext of an audition in Powai, was shot dead by Mumbai Police on Thursday. 

However, even after his death, he left a question unanswered in his last video, where he discusses some remaining dues from the government. 

But the Maharashtra school education department rejected his claims. It forced Rohit to take a violent step, and so he plotted to kidnap children under the guise of holding an audition. 

He was carrying an airgun and an inflammable spray. However, with active action from the Police, they saved the children and gunned down the accused following a 3.5-hour-long rescue operation.

The Story Behind the Child Hostage Incident

When Rohit was keeping children hostage at RA Studio at Mahavir Classic in Powai, he recorded a video where he said that he had no intention to hurt them.

He only wanted the answer from certain people about the Rs 2 crore that the Maharashtra education department owed him.

In the video, he clarified that his demands were fair and ethical and that he was not a terrorist demanding a hefty ransom.

According to a statement given by a police officer to the media, Rohit Arya protested against Deepak Kesarkar's official residence, demonstrating outside his bungalow and at Azad Maidan in July, August, and October 2024. 

He criticised the education department for using his short films and documentaries to highlight the importance of cleanliness without giving him compensation for his work.

Arya had earlier spoken through Swachta Monitor on Facebook regarding his non-payment matter. Having been wrongly judged, he was forced to protest. 

Talking to the media, his wife, Anjali Arya, also mentioned that her husband was making efforts to get his sanctioned payment approved by Kesarkar.

Response From Maharashtra Education Department

Responding to unpaid dues claims by Rohit, a filmmaker and activist, the Maharashtra government's school education department stated that he failed to submit the relevant documents. 

Citing the data, the department accused him of taking registration fees from schools to partake in Swachchata Monitor 2024-25. The budget submitted by him was irrelevant and lacked proper documentation.