In a chilling revelation that has sent shockwaves through Mumbai's entertainment circles, police have uncovered that the accused in the recent Lokhandwala hostage case, Rohit Arya, had been conducting fraudulent auditions for three consecutive days before the terrifying incident unfolded.
The Three-Day Deception
According to senior police officials, Arya had meticulously planned his scheme, posing as a legitimate casting director and inviting aspiring models and actors to his Lokhandwala apartment under the pretext of auditions for modeling assignments.
"The accused had been running this fake audition setup for three days prior to the hostage situation," revealed a senior police officer involved in the investigation. "He had created an elaborate setup to appear legitimate, complete with camera equipment and what appeared to be professional lighting."
The Terrifying Turn of Events
The situation escalated dramatically on Wednesday when Arya, who had been conducting what victims believed were genuine auditions, suddenly brandished a country-made pistol and held several women hostage inside the apartment.
Panic erupted as the aspiring models realized they had walked into a trap. One brave victim managed to alert building security, triggering a chain of events that would lead to a tense standoff with Mumbai Police.
Dramatic Rescue Operation
Mumbai Police responded with swift precision, deploying specialized units to the Lokhandwala location. After hours of negotiation and strategic planning, security personnel managed to enter the apartment and successfully rescue all hostages without injury.
Rohit Arya was apprehended at the scene and has been charged with multiple offenses including kidnapping, extortion, illegal possession of firearms, and criminal intimidation. The country-made pistol used in the crime has been recovered as evidence.
Warning to Aspiring Artists
This incident has highlighted the vulnerabilities faced by those seeking opportunities in the entertainment industry. Police have issued advisories urging aspiring actors and models to:
- Always verify the credentials of casting directors
- Avoid private apartment auditions
- Inform family members about audition locations
- Trust their instincts when situations feel suspicious
The investigation continues as authorities work to determine if there are additional victims from the previous days of fake auditions and whether Arya had accomplices in his elaborate scheme.
