Actor Allu Arjun, embroiled in a case involving a stampede at a Hyderabad theatre that claimed a woman’s life, has been granted regular bail by a local court.
The incident occurred on December 4 during the premiere of Pushpa 2: The Rule, where a massive crowd gathered to catch a glimpse of the actor. Tragically, a 35-year-old woman died due to asphyxiation, and her nine-year-old son was hospitalized with suspected brain damage caused by oxygen deprivation.
Arjun was arrested on December 13 and released on interim bail a day later. The Telangana High Court’s four-week bail period was set to end on January 10. On Friday, the Nampally court granted regular bail, requiring Arjun to furnish two sureties of ₹50,000 each and to appear before the investigating officer on Sunday.
Allegations and Actor’s Response
The police filed a case against Allu Arjun, his security team, and the Sandhya Theatre management under sections related to culpable homicide not amounting to murder and causing grievous hurt. Hyderabad Police Commissioner C.V. Anand criticized the actor’s unsanctioned visit to the theatre and subsequent “roadshow,” which allegedly exacerbated the chaos.
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, addressing the Assembly, condemned the actor’s actions and emphasized the shared responsibility of celebrities and law enforcement in ensuring public safety during such events.
Allu Arjun, however, refuted the accusations, terming them humiliating and akin to character assassination. “Permission was sought from the theatre management, and the police cleared the way for me. If denied permission, I would not have gone,” he stated, expressing his regret over the incident and misinformation surrounding it.
Compensation for Victims
In an attempt to provide relief to the victim’s family, Arjun offered ₹25 lakh, while the film’s director contributed ₹5 lakh. Later, Allu Arjun’s father announced an additional ₹2 crore as compensation.
The incident has sparked debates on celebrity accountability and the need for stricter crowd-control measures during high-profile events.
Sources By Agencies
