A tense hostage situation in Powai, Mumbai, concluded dramatically when Assistant Sub-Inspector Amol Waghmare fatally shot Rohit Arya, a resident of Pune, who had taken 17 children hostage inside a theatre studio. Arya, claiming to be a filmmaker and activist, had locked the children and three assistants in the RA Studio, threatening to ignite the premises with a chemical spray if police attempted to intervene. Authorities became aware of the crisis when bystanders noticed crying children behind the locked glass windows. The Powai Police Station, Quick Response Team, and fire brigade quickly responded. While negotiations were in progress, two police teams ascended the building’s duct line—one breaking through a glass wall and the other entering through the bathroom.
As Rohit Arya advanced toward the officers, ASI Amol Waghmare fired a single bullet that hit him in the chest. He was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police indicated that shooting the suspect had not been part of the original plan, but Waghmare’s quick decision safeguarded all 17 children. Waghmare received commendations from officers for his bravery and discipline, being described as a quiet yet well-trained officer. Senior officials remarked that the team was equipped for any circumstance, and Waghmare’s actions were deemed appropriate under the immense pressure. The heroic rescue concluded a 3.5-hour standoff that captivated the city, garnering widespread admiration for the Mumbai Police’s rapid and effective response.