In a shocking event, Mumbai filmmaker Rohit Arya held 19 people—including 17 children—hostage in the city’s Powai area. He was killed by police during a rescue. Before this, Arya made a video saying the Maharashtra government owed him Rs 2 crore for his company’s work on a city cleaning project. The government says this is not true and points to problems with how he ran the project. This has started debates about who is responsible in deals between the government and private groups.
The Hostage Drama Unfolds
On Thursday, Arya locked himself and the hostages in a building. He wanted answers to what he called “simple, moral, and ethical” problems. The standoff ended sadly when police entered and Arya died. Officials say he was upset about government rules.
Government Denies Rs 2 Crore Debt
The Maharashtra government says no Rs 2 crore was owed to Arya. Here are key facts:
- Project Money: Rs 9.9 lakh was given in 2023 for the first part. Rs 20.63 crore was set for 2023/24, including Rs 2 crore for monitors. But Arya’s papers showed wrong costs and errors, stopping the work.
- Wrong Collections: Arya took “fees” from schools without permission, breaking rules. In August 2023, he was told to give back the money and sign a paper, but he did not.
- Project Ended: The plan was stopped after 2023 elections. Arya’s request to continue was denied due to the issues.
- Minister’s Words: Education Minister Dadaji Bhuse said rules like tenders were not followed, so the money was not allowed.
The Rohit Arya case shows the dangers of mixing personal anger with public work. It leaves questions about honesty and help for mental health. As checks go on, it reminds us to watch government deals closely to avoid such sad events. Arya’s wife says he fought for fair treatment, but the government’s view shows a loss of trust that led to tragedy.
