NEW DELHI: Police arrested actor Allu Arjun on Friday for his alleged involvement in the stampede at Sandhya Theatre during the premiere of Pushpa 2 on December 4, 2024. The incident resulted in the death of 35-year-old Revathi and left her son hospitalized.
A team led by the assistant commissioner detained Arjun at his residence in the presence of his family. They escorted him to the police station for questioning.
The stampede began when a large crowd rushed to see Allu Arjun, who arrived with his security team. Poor crowd management, including the absence of separate entry and exit routes for the actor and his entourage, intensified the chaos. The situation escalated, prompting police to resort to a lathicharge.
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“The theatre management did not make any additional provisions regarding security to manage the crowd nor was there any separate entry or exit for the actors team though the theatre management had information about their arrival,” the police had said.
Chikkadpally police registered a case against Arjun, his security team, and the theatre management under Sections 105 and 118(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Earlier, authorities arrested three individuals, including a co-partner of the theatre, in connection with the incident.
Arjun filed a plea to quash the FIR and sought a stay on all proceedings, including his arrest. However, authorities advanced the investigation, citing the seriousness of the incident and the loss of life.
The tragedy has ignited debates about the accountability of celebrities and event organizers in ensuring public safety during high-profile events. While some criticized the lack of planning, others called for comprehensive reforms in crowd management.
Authorities continue to investigate to determine responsibility for the December 4 tragedy.