South Indian superstar Allu Arjun was arrested on Friday in connection with a stampede at the Sandhya Theatre during the premiere of his latest film, Pushpa 2: The Rise. The incident tragically claimed the life of 35-year-old Revathi and injured her nine-year-old son.
A case was filed against Allu Arjun and the theatre management by Revathi’s family under the newly introduced Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Following this, the actor was taken into custody from his Jubilee Hills residence amid tight security and escorted to the Chikkadpally police station.
However, the Telangana High Court intervened and granted Arjun interim bail hours after his arrest, overriding the lower court’s decision to send him to judicial custody for 14 days. Citing the actor’s “right to liberty,” the High Court stated, “Just because he is an actor, he cannot be held like this.”
The actor had earlier petitioned the High Court, requesting the cancellation of the FIR filed against him.
Victim’s Husband Seeks to Withdraw Complaint
In a surprising turn of events, Revathi’s husband, Bhaskar, announced his intention to withdraw the case. According to Allu Arjun’s public relations team, Bhaskar stated he was unaware that his complaint would lead to the actor’s arrest. Bhaskar further clarified that Arjun had no direct involvement in the tragic incident and expressed his willingness to drop the charges.
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The stampede occurred on the night of December 4 during the premiere of Pushpa 2: The Rise at the Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad. Arjun made an appearance at the venue and spent around 20 minutes interacting with fans.
The crowd reportedly became uncontrollable as fans rushed to catch a glimpse of the actor, leading to chaos. During the stampede, Revathi and her son were severely injured. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, Revathi succumbed to her injuries.
Allu Arjun’s Response
Deeply saddened by the incident, Arjun expressed his condolences on social media, stating, “Deeply heartbroken by the tragic incident… My heartfelt condolences go out to the grieving family during this unimaginably difficult time.”
He also announced financial assistance of rS 25 lakh for Revathi’s family and pledged to cover the medical expenses of her injured son.
Calls for Accountability and Safety
The tragic event has sparked widespread criticism, with many calling for stricter regulations around celebrity appearances at public events to prevent such incidents. Questions have been raised about the lack of adequate security arrangements and whether the event was properly coordinated with the local authorities.
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on addressing lapses in event management and ensuring justice for the affected family.
