Mumbai Hostage Crisis: Ex-Minister Kesarkar Says He Couldn’t Assure Dues to Rohit Arya

In a dramatic three-hour hostage crisis that unfolded on October 30, 2025, at RA Studios in Mumbai's Powai neighborhood, filmmaker Rohit Arya held 17 children and two adults captive, repeatedly demanding to speak with Former School Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar over alleged unpaid dues from the education department. The standoff, which ended in a fatal shootout with police that claimed Arya's life, has now drawn scrutiny toward Kesarkar's decision to decline the conversation, despite police entreaties. Mumbai Police officials confirmed they contacted Kesarkar, who held the education portfolio from August 2022 to November 2024, and urged him to engage with the gunman, but he refused, citing his inability to offer any meaningful assurances.

Kesarkar, a leader from the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction), explained his refusal in a recent statement, emphasizing that he was no longer in a position of authority and believed Arya sought commitments he could not fulfill. "I would have spoken if it could help in any way," Kesarkar said, adding that he had instructed police to connect Arya with the current minister or relevant officials capable of addressing the grievance. He expressed regret over the tragic outcome, noting that no one anticipated the escalation to violence, and claimed he was only approached once by authorities, without details on failed attempts to reach others. The former minister may now be summoned to record a formal statement as part of the ongoing investigation.

At the heart of the crisis was Arya's claim that his company, Apsara Media Entertainment Network, was owed over Rs 2 crore for services rendered in an urban sanitation and cleanliness drive commissioned by the education department. Negotiators reported that Arya was fixated on speaking directly to Kesarkar, whom he viewed as the key decision-maker during his tenure, but the department has categorically denied any outstanding payments. The incident highlighted vulnerabilities in government procurement and payment processes, raising questions about how contractual disputes escalated to such a perilous level involving vulnerable children from a nearby acting workshop.

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As the probe continues, Kesarkar's comments underscore the delicate balance authorities must navigate in high-stakes negotiations, where perceived legitimacy can influence outcomes. The episode serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of unresolved bureaucratic delays, prompting calls for streamlined grievance mechanisms within public departments to prevent future confrontations. With no prior criminal history for Arya, the case has also sparked broader discussions on mental health support for aggrieved contractors in India's complex administrative landscape.

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