Telugu actor Allu Arjun, embroiled in the recent stampede case linked to his blockbuster film Pushpa 2: The Rule, has alleged misconduct by the police during his arrest. The 41-year-old actor told the court that officers entered his bedroom to detain him, an act he termed as an invasion of his private space.
“It’s too much to come up to my bedroom. That’s not good,” Arjun reportedly said while addressing the police.
The tragic incident occurred on December 4 at Hyderabad’s Sandhya Theatre, where Arjun made an unannounced appearance, drawing a massive crowd. The resulting stampede claimed the life of a 35-year-old woman and injured her nine-year-old son. Police subsequently filed a case against the actor, charging him with culpable homicide not amounting to murder and voluntarily causing hurt.
Arjun was arrested on December 13 from his Jubilee Hills residence in Hyderabad and escorted to the Chikkadpally Police Station. Videos captured his arrest, showing the actor sipping coffee before being taken away, accompanied by his family, including his wife Allu Sneha Reddy and father Allu Aravind.
Political Reactions and Public Outcry
The arrest sparked a political uproar, with prominent figures from the Bharatiya Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticizing the authorities. BRS leader KT Rama Rao called the police action “the pinnacle of insecurity of the rulers” and condemned the treatment of Arjun. Similarly, BJP leader T Raja Singh emphasized that Allu Arjun deserved respect for his contributions to cinema.
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Actor’s Response and Support for Victims
Expressing his sorrow over the tragedy, Allu Arjun stated on social media, “Deeply heartbroken by the tragic incident… My heartfelt condolences go out to the grieving family during this unimaginably difficult time.” The actor also announced Rs 25 lakh in financial aid to the victim’s family and promised to cover the medical expenses for the injured child.
Allu Arjun has filed a petition seeking to delay his arrest until December 18, with the court set to hear the case later today. Meanwhile, the police investigation focuses on whether Arjun had the necessary permissions for his appearance at the theatre and subsequent interaction with fans.
Looking Ahead
The incident has reignited debates about crowd management at celebrity events and the responsibilities of public figures in ensuring safety. Calls for stricter regulations are growing as the legal proceedings unfold, with many awaiting clarity on the actor’s role in the tragic stampede.
