Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has assured a fair and impartial investigation following the arrest of Telugu superstar Allu Arjun in connection with a tragic stampede at the premiere of his blockbuster film Pushpa 2: The Rise. The incident, which took place at Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad, left one woman dead and her minor son critically injured.
In an official statement, the Chief Minister emphasized the importance of due process, stating, “Law will take its own due course, and nobody will intervene in the investigation of the case.”
Details of the Incident
The stampede occurred on December 4, when a massive crowd gathered at Sandhya Theatre to catch a glimpse of Allu Arjun and his co-star Rashmika Mandanna. The venue, overwhelmed by the influx of fans, reportedly failed to ensure proper crowd management.
Police investigations revealed that the theatre management had neither informed authorities about the actor’s arrival nor made arrangements to manage the large turnout. The lack of separate entry and exit points further exacerbated the situation. The gates of the theatre gave way under the crowd’s pressure, leading to the stampede.
Legal Actions Taken
Allu Arjun, along with his security team and the theatre management, has been charged under Sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 118(1) (causing hurt) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The theatre owner and two employees were arrested earlier.
Arjun was taken into police custody, where he provided a statement regarding the incident. Following this, he underwent a medical check-up at Osmania Hospital before being presented before the Nampally court.
Victim’s Family Files Complaint
The victim, identified as Revathi, reportedly fell and suffocated during the stampede when the actor’s security team attempted to control the surging crowd. Her husband, Magudampalli Bhaskar, filed a formal complaint against the actor, his security team, and the theatre management.
In his complaint, Bhaskar detailed how the lack of safety measures and mismanagement led to the tragic loss of his wife. His minor son remains in critical condition, adding further weight to the legal case.
Pushpa 2 Premiere Amidst Tragedy
The incident unfolded during the premiere of Pushpa 2: The Rise, which recently crossed the Rs. 1,000 crore milestone globally. The film’s success has been overshadowed by this tragedy, raising questions about safety measures during large-scale events involving high-profile celebrities.
Chief Minister’s Assurance
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s assurance of a fair investigation has been welcomed by the public. His firm stance that no external influence will affect the legal proceedings has reinforced faith in the justice system.
This incident serves as a grim reminder of the importance of prioritizing crowd safety and following proper protocols during public events. Authorities are now under pressure to ensure such tragedies are prevented in the future.