Mumbai: Man accused of holding 20 children hostage shot dead by police during rescue operation

The man accused of holding children hostage in Mumbai was shot dead by police during rescue operation, reported PTI quoting officials.

A tense situation unfolded in Mumbai’s Powai area on Thursday after a man took at least 20 children hostage and threatened to set “everything on fire.”

The man, identified as Rohit Arya, reportedly released a video making the threats and demanding to speak with certain individuals, police said.


"A man, identified as Rohit Arya, has held a few children hostage in Powai area of Mumbai. He has released a video purportedly saying that he wants to speak with a few people and if he is not allowed to do it, he will set eveything on fire and harm himself and the children. The man seems to be mentally unstable and Police are trying to handle the matter," Mumbai Police said in a statement.

Police have rescued over 20 children who were being held hostage inside a flat and have taken the accused into custody, PTI reported, citing officials.

“All children have been safely rescued from the spot,” Mumbai Police later said, confirming that the immediate threat had been neutralised. The accused, Rohit Arya, “has been detained by the Police,” the statement added.

Authorities said they were currently questioning Arya to understand his motive. “The Police are talking to him and trying to find out why he took such a step and if actually is mentally unstable,” the statement said.