Nearly a year after a tragic stampede at a pre-release event for the film "Pushpa 2" in Hyderabad, the city's police have formally concluded their investigation by filing a chargesheet against 23 individuals. Among the accused is prominent Tollywood actor Allu Arjun.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The fatal event occurred on December 4, 2024, at the Sandhya theatre. A pre-release show for the much-anticipated movie "Pushpa 2: The Rule" turned deadly when a massive crowd of fans surged into the theatre complex. The chaos erupted as fans tried to catch a glimpse of the film's star, Allu Arjun, who arrived with other cast members in a rally. The turnout far exceeded expectations, leading to a catastrophic stampede due to inadequate crowd control measures.
The stampede resulted in the death of 35-year-old Revathi and left her eight-year-old son, Sri Tej, critically injured. The young boy remained hospitalised for several months following the incident. Both Allu Arjun and the film's producers provided financial assistance to Revathi's family in the aftermath. The Telangana government also announced compensation for the victims.
Police Investigation and Charges
Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar announced that the chargesheet was submitted to the court on December 24, 2024, wrapping up the year-long probe. The investigation pinpointed serious lapses in planning, security, and coordination among the various parties involved.
The primary accused in the case is the management of Sandhya theatre. Actor Allu Arjun and two of his managers have been cited as abettors, with the actor listed as accused number 11. He was arrested on December 13, 2024, a day after the case was registered, but was granted interim bail by the Telangana High Court the following day and later secured regular bail in January.
Police have invoked sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 118(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), and 3(5) (common intention). Out of the 23 accused, 14 were arrested, while the remaining nine, who had obtained anticipatory bail, were served notices.
Fallout and Political Reaction
The stampede triggered widespread public outrage, raising serious questions about event permissions, police preparedness, and overall accountability for public safety at large gatherings. The arrest of the popular actor Allu Arjun sparked sharp reactions from the public and political circles. The matter was significant enough to be addressed by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy in the state assembly.
Police alleged that the theatre management allowed the film crew's visit despite not having the necessary permissions from the authorities. With the filing of the chargesheet, the investigative phase is now formally closed, paving the way for the trial to begin in the case that shocked the Telugu film industry and the city of Hyderabad.
