Powai Hostage Timeline: 50-Year-Old Rohit Arya Gunned Down During Rescue Operation by Mumbai Police, All Hostages Safe

Mumbai: Inside a studio in the Powai area on Thursday, a man identified as 50-year-old Rohit Arya died during rescue operations after he held 16 children and one woman hostage. All hostages were rescued unharmed, while Rohit Arya died from a bullet injury.

Timeline of the Powai Hostage Crisis

Thursday, 30 October 2025

For five days, Rohit Arya had been conducting auditions, and Thursday marked day six, the final day of the sessions.

• Around 12 noon: Rohit Arya arrived at RA Studio.
• By 12:30 p.m.: Sixteen children aged between 10 and 15 had reached the venue for an audition session.
• Around 1 p.m.: Arya suddenly locked the doors, refusing to let the children leave, and told everyone inside that they were now his hostages.
• The children became tense and started shouting, which led a local resident to hear their cries and alert the police.
• At 1:45 p.m.: The police received an emergency call from Mahavir Classik Building in Powai, reporting that a man had taken several children hostage inside RA Studio.
• By 2:00 p.m.: The accused was identified as Rohit Arya. He recorded a video that quickly spread on social media, claiming that his act had nothing to do with political or financial demands. He said he wanted to start a conversation on “moral” and “ethical” issues.
• 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.: Negotiation efforts between Rohit and the police continued. Police secured the surrounding area and coordinated reinforcements through the Western Region Control Room.
• At 3:30 p.m.: The Quick Response Team (QRT) was deployed to rescue the hostages. Commandos entered the premises through a side entry. The accused opened fire at the police team.
• Responding to Rohit’s gunfire, police retaliated. During a brief exchange of fire, Rohit Arya was shot in the chest. The team successfully rescued all hostages from the studio.
• Between 4:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.: Rohit was rushed to Hindu Hridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Hospital, where he was declared dead.
• Later in the evening: Police recovered an air gun and chemical substances from the studio during a detailed search of the premises.