Actor Allu Arjun and members of his security team have been named among 23 accused in the charge sheet filed in connection with the stampede that occurred during the premiere of Pushpa 2 at Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad’s Chikkadpally area in December 2024. According to the charge sheet submitted by the police, the theatre management has been identified as the prime accused, while Allu Arjun has been listed as accused number 11.
The tragic incident took place on December 4, 2024, when a large crowd gathered outside the theatre to catch a glimpse of the actor during the film’s premiere. The uncontrolled rush led to a stampede in which a 35-year-old woman lost her life and her eight-year-old son sustained injuries. The incident sparked widespread outrage and raised serious questions about crowd management and security arrangements at high-profile film events.
Following a complaint filed by the deceased woman’s family, the Hyderabad city police registered a case against Allu Arjun, his security personnel, and the theatre management under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Investigators pointed to lapses in crowd control measures and inadequate safety planning as key factors that contributed to the tragedy.
Allu Arjun was arrested on December 13, 2024, in connection with the case and was released the following day after the Telangana High Court granted him interim bail. He was later granted regular bail. The charge sheet notes that while the actor’s presence attracted a massive crowd, the primary responsibility for ensuring safety lay with the theatre authorities.
In the aftermath of the incident, Allu Arjun and the makers of Pushpa 2 extended financial assistance to the victim’s family. The Telangana government also announced compensation. The case continues to highlight the urgent need for stricter safety protocols during large public events involving celebrities.
