In a tense one-hour standoff at a Powai studio, Mumbai Police rescued 19 individuals, including 17 children, from a man who had lured them for a web series audition. Rohit Arya, the hostage-taker, released a video outlining vague demands before threatening the children with an air gun.

Mumbai: Mumbai Police on Thursday rescued 19 persons including 17 children from a studio in Powai area while the man who had held them hostage succumbed to bullet injuries sustained during the operation, officials said.

Rohit Arya (50), who released a video statement during the hostage drama that went on for about an hour, saying he wanted to “ask questions to some people”, was shot by police when he tried to harm the children with an air gun and later died at hospital, officials said.

“At about 1.30 pm,

See Full Page