Telugu superstar Allu Arjun and 23 others have been named as accused in the chargesheet filed in connection with the deadly stampede that occurred during the premiere show of Pushpa 2: The Rule in Hyderabad. The chargesheet was submitted before the 9th Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) court in Nampally, more than a year after the incident.
The tragedy occurred on December 4, 2024, at Sandhya Theatre in RTC X Roads, where a massive crowd had gathered to catch a glimpse of the actor during the premiere screening.
Woman Killed, Minor Son Left Bedridden
The stampede claimed the life of 35-year-old Revathi, while her minor son Sreethej suffered severe oxygen deprivation during the chaos, leaving him with serious medical complications and bedridden.
According to the police investigation, the incident was the result of gross negligence and failure to follow basic safety and crowd-management protocols despite the anticipated surge of fans.
The chargesheet names the management and owners of Sandhya Theatre for failing to implement crowd-control measures, even though they were aware of Allu Arjun’s planned visit. Investigators noted that separate entry and exit points for VIP guests were not provided, significantly worsening congestion.
ALSO READ: ‘Did you know…’, ‘Who decided to proceed…’ and more: What police asked Allu Arjun?
Allu Arjun has been named as an accused for allegedly proceeding with the visit despite high-risk crowd conditions and for a lack of coordination with local authorities. The police probe stated that permission for the actor’s appearance had earlier been denied due to safety concerns.
Security Lapses Highlighted in Probe
The list of accused also includes Allu Arjun’s personal manager, members of his staff, and eight private bouncers. Investigators alleged that the movement of private security personnel and certain gestures toward the crowd triggered a sudden surge, escalating the situation into a stampede.
The police report detailed multiple operational lapses that collectively led to the fatal incident.
Charges have been framed under Section 304-A of the Indian Penal Code (causing death by negligence) against the theatre owners. Additional sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) relating to causing hurt and endangering public safety have also been invoked against the accused.
ALSO READ: ‘We are sorry for what happened’: Allu Arjun after walking out of jail
Allu Arjun was briefly arrested in December 2024 and later released on bail. Authorities said the actor has been cooperating with the investigation.
Case Enters Trial Phase
With the filing of the chargesheet, the case now formally enters the trial stage. The victim’s family has repeatedly sought accountability and enhanced compensation, citing the long-term medical needs of the injured child.
