The ‘Pushpa 2’ star addresses allegations, expresses regret over the tragic incident, and offers compensation to the victim’s family.
January 3, 2025: Actor Allu Arjun has been granted regular bail by a Hyderabad court in connection with the theatre stampede case that resulted in the death of a 35-year-old woman and injuries to her 9-year-old son during a special screening of Pushpa 2: The Rule on December 4.
Also Read: ‘Pushpa 2’ Box Office Day 29: Allu Arjun’s Film Sees Dip But Outshines ‘Baby John’
Court Decision and Legal Proceedings
Allu Arjun was arrested on December 13 but was released a day later on interim bail granted by the Telangana High Court, valid for four weeks until January 10. On Friday, the Nampally Court granted him regular bail, directing him to furnish two sureties of ₹50,000 each and appear before the investigating officer on Sunday.
Details of the Incident
The tragedy unfolded at Sandhya Theatre, Hyderabad, where an overwhelming crowd had gathered to see Allu Arjun and music director Devi Sri Prasad during the movie’s premiere. The stampede led to the death of a woman and caused severe health complications for her son due to asphyxiation.
A case was filed against Allu Arjun, his security team, and the theatre management under Sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 118(1) (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous means) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Allu Arjun Responds to Allegations
Addressing the accusations, Allu Arjun expressed his disappointment, stating:
“The allegations against me are humiliating. I’m apologetic for what happened, but I was given clearance to attend the event by the theatre management and police. I am a law-abiding citizen and would have left if told otherwise.”
Government’s Stance and Industry Meeting
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy criticized the actor’s visit to the theatre, claiming it was conducted without proper police clearance. He emphasized that crowd control is a shared responsibility between public figures and authorities.
The incident prompted a high-level meeting attended by industry figures, including Allu Arjun’s father Allu Arvind and producer Dil Raju. The Chief Minister asserted that stricter regulations would be implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Compensation to Victim’s Family
In an effort to address the tragedy, Allu Arjun initially offered ₹25 lakh, while the film’s director contributed ₹5 lakh. Later, Allu Arjun’s father, Allu Arvind, announced an additional ₹2 crore in compensation for the victim’s family.
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on improving safety measures at public events and holding responsible parties accountable.
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Allu Arjun Bail, Pushpa 2 Stampede Incident, Hyderabad Theatre Tragedy, Telangana Police, Telugu Film Industry, Crowd Control Regulations, Allu Arjun Legal Case
