A special screening of Pushpa 2: The Rule at Sandhya Theater in Hyderabad on December 4 turned tragic when a stampede broke out during Allu Arjun’s appearance. The incident resulted in the death of a woman and left her son critically injured and hospitalized.
Arrest and Charges Against Allu Arjun
On December 13, Hyderabad police arrested Allu Arjun, charging him under Sections 105 and 118 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS), which relate to culpable homicide not amounting to murder and voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt.
What Led to the Incident?
The screening was organized a day before the official release of the film. A massive crowd had gathered outside the venue, eager to see the Tollywood superstar.
According to B. Raju Naik, Station House Officer (SHO) of the Chikkadpally police station, the theater management and the actor’s team failed to coordinate effectively:
- There was no advance notice to the police about the time of Allu Arjun’s arrival.
- The theater management did not implement additional security measures to handle the large crowd.
- Despite having prior information about the actor’s visit, the management failed to provide a separate entry or exit for the actor’s team.
This lack of planning and coordination has been cited as a major factor contributing to the chaos and subsequent tragedy.
The incident has raised questions about crowd management at high-profile events and the accountability of both organizers and celebrities involved.
