Hyderabad: Tollywood superstar Allu Arjun has been named among 23 accused in the charge sheet filed in connection with the stampede during the screening of his film, Pushpa 2: The Rule, in December 2024, which left a woman dead and her young son critically injured.
The stampede occurred on the night of December 4, 2024, at Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad during a benefit screening of the film. Fans had gathered to catch a glimpse of the actor, leading to a tragic crush. The incident claimed the life of 35-year-old M Revathi and critically injured her nine-year-old son, Sritej.
The Hyderabad police filed the charge sheet in a local court earlier this week, naming Allu Arjun as accused number 11, along with the theatre owner, management staff, his personal security team, and event organisers.
Details of the Charge Sheet
Police commissioner V C Sajjannar stated that the investigation was comprehensive and detailed, and revealed lapses in planning, crowd management, security arrangements, and coordination among the theatre management, event organisers, private security personnel, and others.
The charge sheet identifies the accused as follows:
- Theatre Management: Sandhya Theatre owner Agamati Ram Reddy (A-1) and partners A Chinna Ram Reddy, M Sandeep, M Sumeeth, A Vinay Kumar, A Ashutosh Reddy, M Renuka Devi, and A Aruna Reddy.
- Theatre Staff: Manager M Nagaraju (A-9) and lower balcony in-charge and gatekeeper Gandhakam Vijay Chander (A-10).
- Allu Arjun and Team: Allu Arjun (A-11), managers Josya Bhatla Santosh Kumar and Sharath Chandra Naidu(A-12, A-13), personal security guards Cheruku Ramesh and Sriramula Raju, along with five private bouncers, and the actor’s fan association in-charge Tatipamula Vinay Kumar.
- Event Organisers: Talla Kiran Kumar Goud and his assistant Mohd Pravez.
Of the 23 accused, 14 have been arrested, while the remaining nine secured anticipatory bail and were served notices. Police confirmed that further proceedings would continue as per the law.
Background of the Case
Following the tragedy, the city police registered cases against Allu Arjun, his security team, and the theatre management under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Chikkadpally police station.
Allu Arjun was initially arrested on December 13, 2024, and released the next day after the Telangana High Court granted him interim bail. He was subsequently granted regular bail.
In the aftermath, the actor and the makers of Pushpa extended financial assistance to the injured child’s family, and the Telangana government also announced aid.
Investigation Findings
The police probe, according to commissioner Sajjannar, highlighted several critical lapses that contributed to the tragedy:
- Inadequate Crowd Management: The theatre failed to control the overwhelming influx of fans, creating unsafe overcrowding.
- Poor Coordination: Lack of communication between theatre staff, private security personnel, and event organisers worsened the situation.
- Safety Violations: Security arrangements were insufficient for the scale of the event, leading to chaos during the crush.
- Event Planning Oversights: No emergency evacuation plan was reportedly in place, compounding the consequences of the stampede.
The investigation also noted that benefit shows and promotional events, where actors make personal appearances, require heightened security protocols, which were allegedly not adequately implemented in this instance.
Legal Proceedings and Next Steps
With the charge sheet filed, the case is now set to proceed in a local court in Hyderabad. The inclusion of Allu Arjun, alongside the theatre management and security personnel, is expected to intensify public attention, given the actor’s stature and the high-profile nature of the incident.
Legal experts note that in crowd-related incidents, accountability can extend to both event organisers and public figures if negligence or insufficient safety measures are proven to contribute to harm. The court will examine:
- Direct responsibility: Actions or omissions by the theatre management and event organisers.
- Oversight by security personnel: The role of Allu Arjun’s security team and theatre staff.
- Actor’s accountability: Whether Allu Arjun, as the main attraction, had a duty of care during the event.
Witnesses, CCTV footage, and statements from the surviving victims are expected to play a key role in determining culpability.
Public and Industry Response
The stampede drew widespread outrage across Telangana and the Telugu film industry. Several activists, fans, and media outlets criticised the event management lapses and safety standards at theatres during star-studded screenings.
Industry observers pointed out that incidents like these have prompted calls for stricter regulation of benefit shows, celebrity appearances, and crowd management during film promotions. Recommendations include:
- Mandatory security audits for large screenings.
- Pre-approval of crowd management plans by local authorities.
- Emergency medical arrangements at theatres hosting high-profile events.
- Training of security personnel and theatre staff to handle sudden surges.
Looking Ahead
As the case moves forward, Allu Arjun and the other accused will be required to respond to the charges, while the court examines the extent of negligence and potential criminal liability.
The tragic incident has renewed debates about the responsibilities of celebrities, event organisers, and theatre management, particularly when large crowds gather for promotional events. Legal analysts note that the final court determination could set important precedents for how liability is apportioned in crowd-related tragedies involving high-profile individuals.
The Pushpa 2 stampede case remains a somber reminder of the need for rigorous safety measures, especially in scenarios where public figures and fan gatherings intersect.
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