Mumbai Police Commissioner Defends Response in Hostage Crisis
Police officials spent nearly two hours trying to negotiate with Rohit Aarrya, who was holding 17 children and two others hostage at a recording studio in Powai, Mumbai. Despite Aarrya's refusal to cooperate, even when informed that one of the hostages had a medical condition, he fired first, prompting a retaliatory response from the police that resulted in his death. The police commissioner, Deven Bharti, said that the team's response was measured and according to protocol, but the incident has sparked calls for a magisterial inquiry.
Key Takeaways:
- Rohit Aarrya, the captor, held 17 children and two others hostage at a recording studio in Powai, Mumbai.
- Police spent nearly two hours negotiating with Aarrya, but he refused to cooperate, even after being informed that one of the hostages had a medical condition.
- Aarrya fired first at the police, prompting a retaliatory response that resulted in his death.
- The police commissioner, Deven Bharti, defended the team's response, saying it was measured and according to protocol.
- The investigation has been taken over by the city crime branch.
- Aarrya had been holding auditions for a web series at the studio for the past five days, and the hostages were from various parts of the state.
- Aarrya had sat on a hunger strike in 2024 over alleged dues of Rs 2 crore for a state-sanctioned school cleanliness project.
Statistics:
- 17 children and 2 others were held hostage by Aarrya.
- Police spent nearly 2 hours negotiating with Aarrya.
- Aarrya had been holding auditions at the studio for 5 days.
- The investigation has been taken over by the city crime branch.
- Aarrya had allegedly collected Rs 2 crore from the schools for a cleanliness project.
- 1.45pm is when an anonymous caller alerted Powai police about the hostage situation.
Sources:
- Mumbai police official, Deven Bharti
- DCP Datta Nalawde
- Legal experts cited by news agency
- Excerpts from a police statement
- Report by TNN