Mumbai: A tense hostage situation unfolded in Powai on Thursday, involving 17 children and two adults, as a man named Rohit Aarrya took them captive under the pretense of filming a web series. The ordeal lasted for three hours, during which the children were reportedly tied up and gagged, leading to a dramatic police rescue operation.

The children, aged between 10 and 15, had been invited to audition for a web series over several days, with Thursday being the final day. However, Aarrya, a former government contractor, had sinister plans. He had prepared for the hostage scenario for over a month, setting up motion detectors and placing flammable materials around the studio. Initially, the children were led to believe they were participating in a film shoot, but panic ensued when Aarrya brandished a gun and threatened their lives.

Around 1 PM, parents grew concerned when their children did not return for lunch. Some children were seen banging on the glass windows, calling for help. A distress call was made to the Powai police station shortly after. Aarrya sent a video message to parents, claiming he felt betrayed by the Maharashtra government and stating, "Instead of committing suicide, I have kept the children hostage. My demands are simple, moral and ethical. I am not a terrorist, but a common man. I just want to talk."

As negotiations began, Aarrya initially cooperated but soon expressed distrust towards the police. By 3:15 PM, the police decided to forcibly enter the building. They broke through a bathroom window, and as officers entered, Aarrya fired an air gun in panic. In the ensuing confrontation, he was shot by police in self-defense.

By 4:15 PM, all hostages were safely rescued, but Aarrya was later pronounced dead at the hospital. The incident has raised serious concerns about the safety of children in such situations and the need for stringent measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.