Mumbai Police Officer Shoots Filmmaker Rohit Arya in Self-Defense During Hostage Crisis at R A Studio

The Crime Branch has collected the gun from Arya's possession as part of their ongoing investigation.

Mumbai:

The assistant inspector who fired at Mumbai hostage-taker Rohit Arya made the decision because children were involved and the situation presented what officials described as a "real threat," according to a statement released Friday.

Rohit Arya lost his life Thursday during a police operation aimed at freeing 17 children and two women, including an elderly person, whom he had taken hostage inside R A Studio located in Powai.

The shooting was carried out by API Amol Waghmare from Powai police station, officials confirmed.

"Waghmare attempted to negotiate with Arya, pleading with him to refrain from extreme actions. However, Arya directed his weapon at the officer, creating a genuine threat. In self-defense, Waghmare discharged his firearm at Arya, who unfortunately succumbed to injuries later. Both Waghmare and a constable were present on the first floor of the studio where the incident unfolded, with the constable positioned behind," the official explained.

"In his statement, Waghmare reported that Arya pointed his gun at him with children present nearby. Considering the imminent danger of the situation, he opened fire. Preliminary investigations have also revealed that Arya may have been planning something for several months," the official added.

The Crime Branch investigative team has secured the firearm that was in Arya's possession.

"The weapon is being transferred to the Forensic Science Laboratory for thorough analysis. The examination will determine whether Arya's gun was discharged. All additional evidence from the scene has been collected, including a cloth with a strong odor. Investigators need to verify if Arya applied some chemical substance to it with the intention of igniting it," stated the official.

The investigation team is gathering information by interviewing individuals involved with the project, the official noted.

Arya, originally from Anand in Gujarat, had been residing in Pune before relocating to Mumbai two months prior to the incident.

"He leaves behind a wife and a 10-year-old son. His wife was in Ahmedabad when the incident occurred. Due to the absence of immediate family in Mumbai, Arya's remains were kept at the government-run J J Hospital. The post-mortem examination was conducted in the evening after his brother-in-law and other relatives arrived at the hospital," the official concluded.