Police tighten security as Powai hostage-taker’s family reluctantly gives consent for autopsy
Rohit Arya’s brother-in-law, dressed in a black shirt and white cap, being escorted inside JJ Hospital by police personnel under tight security. Pic/Ashish Raje
Tension gripped JJ Hospital on Friday as the body of Rohit Arya — the man shot dead by Mumbai Police during Thursday’s Powai hostage crisis — was brought in for post-mortem examination under heavy security. The post-mortem was conducted on Friday night and the body was handed over to the relatives. Arya, who had allegedly held 17 people hostage at a Powai studio, was killed during a police rescue operation led by the Powai police and Anti-Terrorism Cell (ATC).
The body of Rohit Arya being handed over to the relatives. Pic/Ashish Raje
Throughout Friday, the hospital premises saw a heavy deployment of police, commandos, and JJ security staff, particularly around the mortuary and post-mortem section. The precautionary measures were taken to prevent any untoward incident as news of Arya’s body being brought in drew media and onlookers.
At around 9.30 am, Arya’s body arrived from HBT Trauma Care Hospital in Jogeshwari and was shifted to the post-mortem section after formalities. As per sources, Arya’s relatives were initially reluctant to visit the hospital and give consent for the post-mortem. “Several family members refused to come, and it was only after repeated persuasion that his brother-in-law agreed,” said a source.
Police personnel from the Powai police station arrive at JJ Hospital for investigation. Pic/Nimesh Dave
By around 5.30 pm, Arya’s brother-in-law arrived at JJ Hospital, escorted by police officers. Wearing a black shirt and white cap, he was taken inside amid tight security, where his statement was recorded before he signed the consent papers for the autopsy. However, by the time legal formalities concluded, daylight had faded. As per standard protocol, post-mortems, especially those conducted under video surveillance, are not performed after 6 pm.
A police team was subsequently sent to seek special permission from the magistrate to conduct the post-mortem. The post-mortem was conducted on Friday night and body was handed over to the relatives.
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