Actor Allu Arjun Arrested in Case of Stampede Leading to Woman’s Death at Theater
Hyderabad: Renowned Telugu film actor Allu Arjun was taken into custody by Hyderabad Police on Friday. The arrest pertains to a stampede at Sandhya Theater, located at RTC Crossroads in Hyderabad, during the release of his film ‘Pushpa 2’. The tragic incident resulted in the death of a woman named Revathi and left her 13-year-old son, Sriteja, critically injured.
Allu Arjun has been named as an accused in the case registered following the incident. Earlier today, police detained the actor from his residence.
Directed by Sukumar, Pushpa 2: The Rule was globally released on December 5. Prior to the release, premiere shows were held on December 4 (Wednesday) in various locations, including Sandhya Theater, where the stampede occurred. The theater management and Allu Arjun have been accused of failing to inform the police about the event. Authorities believe that prior intimation could have allowed for adequate security measures to prevent the tragedy.
Police Statement
According to the police, a large crowd gathered to catch a glimpse of the actor. No precautions were taken by the theater management to manage the crowd, and neither entry nor exit points were adequately secured.
Akanksha Yadav, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Hyderabad, stated, “At around 9:40 PM, Allu Arjun arrived at Sandhya Theater with his private security personnel. The security team began pushing back the crowd to control them, but the theater was already overcrowded both inside and outside.”
The situation escalated into a scuffle, leading to a stampede. Revathi and her son were caught in the chaos and fell. While Revathi succumbed to her injuries at the hospital, her son remains in critical condition and is undergoing treatment.
Legal Proceedings
Based on the complaint filed by the victim’s family, police registered a case and initiated an investigation. On Friday, Allu Arjun was detained for questioning and later presented before the City Criminal Court in Nampally.
The police emphasized that safety negligence on part of the theater management and event organizers contributed to the unfortunate incident. The investigation continues, and the authorities have assured strict action against those responsible.
Film Background
Pushpa 2: The Rule is the much-anticipated sequel to Pushpa: The Rise and has been met with significant public interest. However, the tragedy at the premiere has cast a shadow over the film’s release, sparking widespread debate on the safety and crowd management at public events.