Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court granted interim bail to actor Allu Arjun after he was remanded to 14 days of judicial custody by a local court earlier on Friday, December 13. This decision followed his arrest in connection with a tragic stampede that occurred during the premiere of his film Pushpa 2 at the Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad on December 4.
Granting bail to the actor, the Telangana High Court stated that Allu had the right to liberty.
During the bail hearing, Justice Juvvadi Sridevi emphasised Allu Arjun’s fundamental right to life and liberty, stating that being an actor should not subject him to undue legal consequences. The judge noted the lack of clear evidence linking him to culpable homicide and suggested that any potential charges might be more appropriately classified as “death by negligence.”
Following the incident, police registered a case against Allu Arjun, his security team, and the theatre management under sections related to culpable homicide not amounting to murder and intentionally causing hurt. The FIR was filed based on a complaint from Revathi’s family, alleging negligence on the part of both the actor and the theatre management.
Allu Arjun was arrested by the Chikkadpally police in Hyderabad in connection with the death of a woman during a stampede at Sandhya Theatre. The incident occurred during the premiere of his film Pushpa 2 on 4 December.
The actor’s advocates had sought bail and relief in the case, which was rejected by the Nampally court judge.
Following his arrest, a video surfaced on social media, capturing the actor objecting to the way he was taken into custody. In the clip, Arjun is heard telling the police that he was taken from his bedroom and requesting to finish his breakfast before being escorted away.
The video also shows his wife, Sneha Reddy, and father, Allu Aravind, present during the tense exchange.
Telangana CM Revanth Reddy’s statement
Hours after Allu Arjun’s arrest in a stampede incident, Telangana chief minister Revanth Reddy stated that the investigation would proceed without interference. “Law will take its course, and no one will interfere with the investigation,” said Reddy.
Allu Arjun taken to Gandhi Hospital
The actor, post his arrest, was escorted to the Gandhi Hospital for a medical examination. The city police heightened security around the hospital. He was then produced before the Magistrate at Nampally court.
Chiranjeevi rushes to meet Allu Arjun’s family
Megastar Chiranjeevi rushed to comfort the Allu family after the actor’s arrest. As per initial reports, Chiranjeevi was scheduled to visit the Chikadpaly police station, however, changed his plans following the the police’s request.
Pushpa 2 premiere in Hyderabad
The incident occurred around 9:30 pm during the premiere of the movie Pushpa 2 which saw a massive crowd gather in the hopes of catching a glimpse of the movie’s lead actor, Allu Arjun.
However, it was later revealed that there was no prior announcement from the theatre management or the actor’s team regarding his visit.
As the actor Allu Arjun arrived with his personal security team the situation escalated with the crowd attempting to enter the theatre alongside the actor. The security team was forced to push back the public which further aggravated the chaos leading to a dangerous influx of people into the theatre’s lower balcony area.
Upon noticing the incident, police officers on duty managed to pull them from the chaos and performed CPR on the victim before rushing both to nearby hospitals. Tragically, Revathi was declared dead at Durgabai Deshmukh Hospital, while her son remains in critical condition at a Super Speciality Hospital.
Actor, theatre management booked
The police registered the case against Allu Arjun, his security team and the theatre management, under sections 105 (Whoever commits culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 118(1)(punishment for intentionally causing hurt or grievous hurt) read with 3(5) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the Chikkadpally police station based on the complaint by the deceased’s family.
So far, apart from Allu Arjun, three people including one of the partners of the theatre, were arrested in the case last week.
It is pertinent to note that both, the actor and the theatre management, had moded the Telangana High Court seeking the quashing of the FIR.
Allu Arjun announces Rs 25 lakh in aid to kin
Following the incident, Allu Arjun announced an aid of Rs 25 lakh as a goodwill gesture for the family of the woman who lost her life during the stampede. The actor assured the grieving family that he would meet them personally and extend every possible assistance.
Allu Arjun also promised to take care of all medical expenses of the boy, whose condition remained critical.
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