Actor Allu Arjun appeared before the Nampally Criminal Court on Monday through video conferencing in connection with the Sandhya Theatre stampede case. The actor joined the proceedings from Mumbai, where he is currently shooting his next film.
The court, however, adjourned the hearing to July 29 after two co-accused failed to appear. They are expected to file exemption petitions before the next hearing.
Court Postpones Hearing After Co-Accused Remain Absent
Hyderabad, Telangana: On the Sandhya Theater stampede case, Legal expert Qavi Abbasi says, "I want to bring to your notice that today there was a hearing in the Sandhya Theater stampede case. In this hearing, Allu Arjun appeared virtually, while several other accused did not… pic.twitter.com/nfoIwmfDpF
— IANS (@ians_india) July 6, 2026
During Monday’s proceedings, Allu Arjun attended the hearing virtually, complying with the court process while continuing his professional commitments in Mumbai.
The hearing could not proceed further as two of the co-accused did not appear before the court. Following their absence, the Nampally Criminal Court deferred the matter until July 29, when the case will be taken up again.
What Happened At Sandhya Theatre?
The case stems from the tragic stampede that occurred outside Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad on December 4, 2024, during the special premiere of Pushpa 2: The Rule.
Thousands of fans had gathered outside the theatre hoping to catch a glimpse of Allu Arjun before the screening.
According to investigators, the crowd allegedly surged after the actor greeted fans by standing through the sunroof of his vehicle, triggering panic and chaos outside the theatre.
The stampede claimed the life of Revathi (39), while her son Sri Teja sustained serious injuries. Her husband Bhaskar and another child were also present during the incident.
Police Cite Multiple Lapses In Crowd Management
The police investigation pointed to several shortcomings in the planning and execution of the event.
According to the chargesheet, authorities found deficiencies in:
- Crowd control measures
- Security arrangements
- Coordination between theatre management
- Event organisers
- Private security personnel
Based on the findings, police registered a case against Allu Arjun, members of his team and the theatre management under various charges, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
Chargesheet Filed Against 23 Accused
The Chikkadpally Police filed a chargesheet against 23 individuals in connection with the incident, submitting it before the court on December 24, 2025.
The chargesheet names:
- Accused Nos. 1 to 10: Sandhya Theatre owner, partners, manager, lower balcony in-charge and gatekeeper.
- Accused No. 11: Allu Arjun.
The remaining accused include members associated with the event’s organisation and security arrangements.
Previous Hearing Was Also Deferred
The matter had earlier been postponed on June 22 after several accused, including Allu Arjun, were absent from court.
On that occasion, the actor’s legal counsel sought exemption from personal appearance.
NHRC Raised Questions Over Security Arrangements
Following the incident, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) examined the police report and expressed concerns regarding the security arrangements made for the film premiere.
The commission observed that adequate crowd management measures did not appear to have been implemented despite authorities anticipating a massive turnout for the event.
Allu Arjun Extended Financial Assistance
After the tragedy, Allu Arjun announced financial support for Revathi’s family.
His father, producer Allu Aravind, also pledged Rs 2 crore as financial assistance to the bereaved family.
The case remains under judicial consideration, with the next hearing now scheduled for July 29.