Powai Hostage Case: Mumbai Police Probe Finds Suspect Planned Arson with Petrol-Rubber Mix

An investigation into the deadly Powai studio hostage crisis has uncovered several details that captor Rohit Aarrya deliberately soaked the premises with a petrol-rubber solution, rigged batteries as potential ignition sources, and threatened to burn 17 children alive unless his demands were met, according to the First Information Report (FIR) and police statements.

The FIR, filed by Assistant Police Inspector Amol Waghmare — who shot Aarrya in self-defence — reveals the 35-year-old had confined the minors on the first floor, binding four with ropes and taping their mouths. He repeatedly brandished a pistol, at one point aiming it directly at the children before turning it on the rescue team.

Officers detected a strong petrol odour outside the RA Studio complex upon arrival around 2 PM on October 30. Inside, they found floors drenched in a flammable mixture and batteries strategically placed — evidence that Aarrya intended mass arson.

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A key breakthrough came from Aarrya’s assistant, Rohan Aher, who signalled from a window that children were gagged and restrained. Using a fire brigade ladder, Waghmare and three constables entered through a bathroom duct.

The FIR states, “Aarrya sprayed pepper spray, pointed his pistol at the children momentarily, then aimed at us and prepared to fire. To prevent harm to my team and the minors, I discharged one round.”

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Aarrya was rushed to Jogeshwari Trauma Care Hospital but died from the gunshot. All 17 children, aged 4 to 12 and attending weekend acting classes, were rescued unharmed.

Senior police officials, including DCP Datta Nalawade, attempted phone negotiations, but Aarrya refused to specify demands, only threatening to ignite the studio. Forensic teams have sealed the site to analyse the explosive setup and recover the weapon.