During the nearly three-hour hostage standoff in Powai on October 30, accused Rohit Arya reportedly demanded that police connect him to former Maharashtra school education minister Deepak Kesarkar, claiming he was owed money for work done for the department, according to senior police officials.
Arya, who held 19 people, including 17 children, hostage inside a Powai studio, insisted on speaking to the minister, blaming him for alleged non-payment of dues. However, Kesarkar refused to engage directly, instructing police to connect Arya with education department officials instead.
Kesarkar declined to talk to Arya
An IPS officer told The Indian Express that Arya wanted to question Kesarkar about his unpaid dues. “A DCP-rank officer called Mr. Kesarkar and apprised him of the situation, but he declined to speak to Arya,” the officer said.
When contacted, Kesarkar confirmed he had refused to talk to Arya, stating that it was best to route the conversation through relevant officials. “I told the police to connect him with the concerned department officials. I did not realise the matter would become so serious,” he said.
Arya’s motive and final moments
During negotiations, Arya expressed frustration over delayed payments for a project executed for the school education department despite repeated appeals. In videos released during the standoff, he described his demands as “simple, moral and ethical,” stating that he only wanted answers and was “not a terrorist or after money.”
Despite police efforts — including attempts by the parents of the hostaged children to appeal to him — Arya refused to surrender. As he became increasingly agitated, police decided to activate Plan B, entering the studio from a bathroom window through a back route.
Arya was shot dead by an officer during the operation, bringing an end to the hostage crisis. All 19 hostages were rescued unharmed.
Police investigation continues
According to officials, the Powai police and zonal DCP Datta Nalawade led the rescue mission. Over the course of nearly two hours, officers negotiated with Arya through phone and video calls.
Police have recorded statements from the children, studio owner, and other witnesses. They are yet to question Arya’s wife, who is reportedly in shock. Officials said Arya, originally from Pune, had recently moved to Mumbai with his family after facing housing disputes in his previous residence.
Arya had also been in touch with a few actors through social media, and police plan to record their statements. “He had a history of grievances related to work and payments,” an officer said.
Human Rights Commission seeks report
The Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (MSHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of Arya’s death during the police operation. It has sought a comprehensive report from the Mumbai Police, asking for all evidence and details of the investigation to be submitted.
The inquiry will be overseen by Vishwas Pandhare, head of the commission’s investigation wing, along with VP Kedar, registrar of the MSHRC. The matter is scheduled for hearing on January 8