Mahavir Classik building case: In a dramatic rescue operation in Mumbai on Thursday, the police freed 17 children who were allegedly held hostage by a man inside a studio in Powai.
According to police officials, the incident took place at Ra Studio located in Mahavir Classik building. The children, aged between 10 and 12 years, had come to the studio for an audition when a man identified as Rohit Arya allegedly locked them inside, who is a native of Pune and makes web series.
A senior police officer said that the police broke open the grill of the studio to rescue the children. “Looking at the situation, the police fired one bullet, which hit Arya, and he suffered an injury,” the officer said, adding that he was immediately rushed to a hospital for treatment.
Quick Response Team (QRT) personnel come out of the building called Mahavir Classik where inside a studio called RA Studio a person named Rohit Arya kidnapped 17 children, at Powai in Mumbai on 30 October 2025.(Express photo by Sankhadeep Banerjee)
Satya Narayan Chaudhary, Joint Commissioner of Police, confirmed that all the children are safe. “All 17 children are safely rescued from the studio, and further investigation is going on,” he said.
Another senior officer said the children aged between 10 to 12 years were at the studio for an audition. “Arya had been coming to the studio for four to five days,” the officer added.
Earlier in the afternoon, Arya allegedly locked the children in a room and recorded a video stating, “Mujhe kuch logon se baat karni hai, Mai Rohit Arya hu ( I would like to talk to a few people. I am Rohit Arya).” He further threatened that if he was not allowed to speak, he would “set everything on fire” and harm himself and the children, a police official said.
Police personnel guard the building called Mahavir Classik where inside a studio called RA Studio a person named Rohit Arya kidnapped 17 children, at Powai in Mumbai on 30 October 2025. (Express photo by Sankhadeep Banerjee)
Once alerted, the police rushed to the scene. “The police broke open the grill on the back side of the room in the building and managed to enter. A police officer fired one round, which hit Arya. All the children are safe and have been handed over to their parents,” the official further said.
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In its official statement, the Mumbai police said: At around 1:30 p.m., Powai Police Station received information that a person had taken 17 children hostage at Mahavir Classic building,Powai. The Mumbai Police team conducted a rescue operation and safely freed all the children. During the operation while rescuing children the person got injured, was immediately rushed to the hospital, and was later declared dead.
Arya is a native of Pune and makes web series. He was staying in Chembur recently, said joint commissioner Satayanarayan.
