Mumbai hostage drama: 17 children, 2 adults rescued after 2-hour ordeal; police seize airgun, chemicals

MUMBAI: Seventeen children and two adults rescued after hostage situation in powai studio. The 19 people were kept hostage for almost two hours in a studio at the Mahavir Classik building in Powai today. They were rescued after a police inspector forced entry into the studio and seized an airgun and some chemical from the detained suspect, identified as Rohit Arya, Powai police said. Joint Commissioner of Police (L&O) Satyanarayan Chaudhary said “prima facie the motive behind the hostage was done by the suspect over some work related dues pending”. The suspect was taken to hospital for medical examination. Meanwhile, the rescued children were handed over to their parents. A team from Powai and Sakinaka police stations reached the spot following a distress call received at 1.45 pm. The children, aged between 13 and 17, had come from different parts of Maharashtra for an audition for an ad-shoot.DCP Datta Nalawade said that they are gathering information and will be questioning the man who was detained to know the motive behind his act. The team has seized an airgun and chemical from his possession.