Saturday, December 14, 2024 -South Indian superstar Allu Arjun was arrested today, December 13, in connection with a tragic stampede during the December 4 premiere of his film Pushpa 2: The Rule at Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad.
The incident resulted in the death of a 39-year-old woman, Revathi, and
critically injured her young son. Hours after his arrest, Arjun was granted
interim bail.
According to reports, the actor was taken into custody by a task force
team from the Hyderabad police on Friday morning. Videos of the arrest show
Arjun finishing his coffee and speaking to his wife and son before being
escorted to a police vehicle.
The Telangana High Court indicated that interim bail would be granted
for a specific period, according to a report in Hindustan Times.
The stampede occurred when Allu Arjun made an unannounced appearance at
the theatre, drawing an overwhelming crowd eager to see him. The sudden surge,
compounded by inadequate crowd control, led to the tragedy. Police rushed
Revathi and her son to a nearby hospital, but she was pronounced dead on
arrival.
Authorities have since charged Arjun, his security team, and the theatre
management with culpable homicide not amounting to murder, citing negligence
and lack of preparation for the event.
In the wake of the tragedy, Arjun expressed his sorrow and extended
financial support of Dh110,000 to the grieving family. "It’s a very
unfortunate incident, and my heart goes out to the family affected," he
said.
Revathi’s husband, Bhaskar, later told reporters that he was willing to
drop the case against Arjun. "I am ready to withdraw the case. I was not
aware of the arrest, and Allu Arjun has nothing to do with the stampede in
which my wife passed away," he said, as reported by NDTV.
Arjun’s co-star Rashmika Mandanna also expressed her support for the
actor, calling the situation “unfortunate and deeply saddening.” In an
Instagram post, she said, "It is disheartening to see everything being
blamed on a single individual."
Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan echoed similar sentiments, stating that it
is unfair to hold one person solely responsible for safety lapses. "The
actor cannot take sole responsibility for safety protocols," he said
during an event in Jaipur.
Local police officials noted that Arjun’s team and the theatre provided
no prior notice of his appearance, leaving them unprepared to manage the large
crowd. Three theatre staff members have since been detained for failing to
ensure adequate safety measures.
The production company, Mythri Movie Makers, also issued a statement
expressing condolences and pledging support to the grieving family.
Allu Arjun, widely regarded as one of Telugu cinema’s biggest stars,
commands a loyal fanbase known for travelling great distances to see him. His
arrest has sparked discussions about accountability and the need for stricter
safety measures at public events involving high-profile celebrities.
Reflecting on the tragedy, Arjun said, “For every actor, the love of
fans is a blessing, but ensuring their safety must always come first.” He vowed
to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation.
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