Hyderabad: Telugu actor Allu Arjun and the management of Sandhya Theatre will face charges in connection with a stampede that occurred during the premiere of Pushpa 2: The Rule, which resulted in the death of a woman and left her son injured. The incident took place on Wednesday evening outside the theatre in Hyderabad, as a large crowd gathered to catch a glimpse of the actor and his team.
Hyderabad Police have confirmed that Allu Arjun’s sudden, unannounced arrival for the premiere contributed to the chaotic scene. According to police, there was no prior notification from the actor’s team or the theatre management regarding his visit. This lack of communication, combined with inadequate security measures, led to the crowd becoming uncontrollable.
The tragedy unfolded when the crowd surged forward to see the actor, causing the main gate of the theatre to collapse. As the situation escalated, security personnel resorted to a lathi charge in an attempt to regain control, but the stampede proved fatal. A 35-year-old woman, identified as Revathi, was killed in the chaos. Her nine-year-old son, Teja, was hospitalized with asphyxiation and is currently in critical condition.
The police have filed a case based on a complaint from Revathi’s family. The charges include various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (Indian Penal Code), and authorities have promised stringent legal action against those responsible for the incident. The family has called for accountability from both the theatre management and Allu Arjun, urging them to offer support and respond to the tragedy.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner CV Anand highlighted the absence of separate entry and exit arrangements for the actor and his team, despite the theatre management being aware of their arrival. The lack of additional security provisions to manage the large crowd has been cited as a key factor in the disaster.
As of now, there has been no official response from either Allu Arjun or the management of Sandhya Theatre. The incident has raised concerns about crowd management and the responsibilities of both public figures and event organizers in ensuring the safety of the public.
Pic Credit: instagram.com/alluarjunonline8
