In the aftermath of the Powai hostage crisis, mental health professionals have urged that a psychological autopsy be conducted to accurately assess Rohit Arya’s state of mind and motivations. Experts say that while he seemed to have been acting out of desperation, it would be premature to draw conclusions without a detailed psychological evaluation.

“The fact that he had planned each move so clearly… it cannot be justified that his demands were moral. Other than stating that he wished to meet a former minister, his demands were not clear. Thus, neither his demand nor his actions can be justified, especially when they turned into an act of crime,” said Dr Rashmi Joshi-Shetty, consultant psychiatrist.