Former Maharashtra cabinet minister and Shiv Sena leader Deepak Kesarkar has confirmed that he was contacted by the police during the Powai hostage crisis on October 30, when Rohit Arya had demanded to speak to him. Kesarkar, however, declined to speak to Arya at the time, saying he believed the matter was related to the Education Department and that concerned officials were better placed to address it.

CALL FROM POLICE DURING THE HOSTAGE SITUATION

The tense standoff at a Powai studio had lasted nearly three hours, during which Arya, who had taken 17 children and a few adults hostage, insisted on speaking to Kesarkar.

Police officials, including a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), had called Kesarkar in an attempt to defuse the situation.

Kesarkar has now said that he refused the re

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