New Delhi: Panic gripped Mumbai’s Powai area on Thursday after a man identified as Rohit Arya allegedly took 19 people hostage, including 17 children, a senior citizen, and one unidentified man, inside a flat.

Police confirmed that all the children were rescued safely and have been handed over to their parents.

Accused Rachit Arya succumbed to his wounds

Arya later died after being injured in the chest during a police crossfire, as per reports.

The senior citizen was also hurt in the exchange and was rushed to Balasaheb Thackeray Trauma Hospital for treatment.

#BREAKING | Children taken hostage in Mumbai’s RA Studio building in Powai. Cops in talk with suspect.

More details awaited. pic.twitter.com/lIKxQr33ZU

— Harsh Trivedi (@harshtrivediii) October 30, 2025

According to police, Arya had released a video in which he demanded to speak to certain individuals and warned that he would harm himself and the children and “set everything on fire” if prevented.

Police Probe into the Matter

The standoff ended after a police inspector forced entry into the studio and seized an airgun and some chemical from Arya’s possession, Powai police said.

Joint Commissioner of Police (L&O) Satyanarayan Chaudhary said, “Prima facie, the motive behind the hostage act appears to be related to some pending work-related dues.”

Police said the incident was reported around 1.45 pm, when a distress call from the studio prompted teams from Powai and Sakinaka police stations to rush to the spot.

The children, aged between 13 and 17 years, had reportedly travelled from different parts of Maharashtra to attend an audition for an ad shoot being held at the studio.

Officials had described the accused as mentally unstable and said they acted swiftly to defuse the situation.