Pushpa 2 Actor Allu Arjun has been arrested. The Telangana High Court will hear a petition by Tollywood actor Allu Arjun, who is asking the court to dismiss a criminal case filed against him. The case relates to a stampede that occurred on December 4 during a special screening of his film Pushpa 2: The Rule at Sandhya Theatre.
The stampede caused the death of a woman in her 30s, and her teenage son is still being treated in the hospital for breathing problems. Allu Arjun was arrested earlier and has been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder, among other charges.
On December 4 during a special screening of Pushpa 2: The Rule at Sandhya Theater, a massive crowd gathered to see Tollywood superstar Allu Arjun. But the excitement quickly turned into chaos, leading to a stampede that claimed the life of a woman, M. Revathi, and left her teenage son critically injured.
What Happened?
The screening, organized a day before the film’s official release, drew hundreds of fans eager to catch a glimpse of Allu Arjun. According to Chikkadpally Station House Officer (SHO) B. Raju Naik, the theater management and the actor’s team had not informed the police about the visit, leaving the venue ill-prepared to handle the massive crowd.
At 9:30 PM, when Arjun arrived at the theater, the crowd surged toward the gate, which collapsed under pressure. The actor’s security team reportedly attempted to push back the throng, further worsening the situation. The resulting stampede left Revathi and her son trapped. Police performed CPR on the teenager, saving his life, but Revathi died before she could receive medical attention.
Legal Action Against Allu Arjun
The following day, police filed a case against Allu Arjun, his security team, and the Sandhya Theater management. The charges include:
- Culpable homicide not amounting to murder under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
- Voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt by dangerous means under Section 118(1) r/w 3(5).
Deputy Commissioner of Police Akshansh Yadav stated, “A case has been filed based on the complaint by the deceased’s family. Stringent legal action will be taken against all those responsible for the incident.”
On December 13, Hyderabad police arrested Allu Arjun while investigations continued. The actor has filed a petition in the Telangana High Court to quash the FIR and halt all proceedings. The court is set to hear the case later today.
The Charges and Their Merits
Under Section 105 of the BNS, culpable homicide involves causing death with intent or knowledge that an act could result in death. The prosecution will need to prove that Allu Arjun’s appearance directly caused the stampede and that he knew the security arrangements were inadequate.
The charge of voluntarily causing hurt under Section 118 applies to injuries caused by dangerous means. This may be linked to the actions of Arjun’s security team, who reportedly pushed the crowd, exacerbating the chaos.
A Preventable Tragedy?
The incident has spotlighted the lack of crowd management and communication between event organizers and law enforcement. Fans and critics alike are questioning the preparedness of the theater management and the actor’s team in ensuring safety at such high-profile events.
As the case unfolds, the High Court’s decision is eagerly awaited to determine accountability for this tragic incident.
