Maharashtra Education Department to File Report on Rohit Arya’s Cheating and Unpaid Dues Allegations

Mumbai, Oct 31 — Hours after Rohit Arya, the man accused of taking 17 children hostage in Mumbai’s Powai area, died from injuries sustained in an exchange of gunfire with the police, Maharashtra School Education Minister Dadaji Bhuse announced that the department has been directed to submit a detailed report on Arya’s allegations.

Arya had claimed that he was cheated by the Education Department and that the state government owed him ₹2 crore for a school-related initiative. Minister Bhuse said the department would submit a comprehensive report by Friday.

“Approval, expenditure, procedures, tenders, and terms and conditions are mandatory for government projects. However, none seem to have been followed in this case. The private firm reportedly collected money from schools, which is not allowed under government rules,” Bhuse said.

He added that more details would be shared once the full report is received.

No Official Approval for Apsara Media Firm

Deputy Secretary Vipul Mahajan clarified that Apsara Media Entertainment Network, the firm linked to Arya, had no official approval from the state School Education Department or the government.

“There is no evidence that the company paid money to any schools or used government funds under the ‘Swachhata Monitor’ initiative. The programme was conducted as a private social initiative, without government consent,” Mahajan stated.

Department Denies Dues Claim

School Education Secretary Ranjit Singh Deol also dismissed Arya’s claim of pending payment.

“There was no agreement to pay Rohit Arya ₹2 crore. He volunteered for the ‘Swachhata Monitor’ campaign and received a certificate of appreciation, not a financial commitment. His proposal for the ‘My Shala, Sundar Shala’ project never materialised,” Deol said.

Former Minister Speaks Out

Former School Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar expressed shock over the incident, saying he had personally supported Arya earlier.

“When I was Minister, I helped him by cheque. But all government payments require due procedure. His claim of ₹2 crore is not justified. He should have coordinated with the department and submitted proper documents,” Kesarkar noted.

Kesarkar added that Arya had been associated with the ‘Swachhata Monitor’ campaign, during which he was accused of collecting fees directly from children a claim Arya denied.

Hostage Crisis and Police Encounter

The standoff unfolded inside RA Studios in Powai, where Arya had called a group of 17 children aged 8–14 for what he described as an “audition.”

According to the police, Arya fired at officers with an air gun during the rescue operation, prompting them to retaliate. A bullet struck him in the chest, and he later died during treatment.

All children were rescued safely after being held hostage for about two hours.