In a tragic turn of events, the Hyderabad police arrested three individuals on Sunday, December 8, in connection with the stampede incident that led to the death of a fan at the premiere of Pushpa 2: The Rule. The arrested individuals include Sandhya Theatre owner M Sandeep, manager M Nagaraju, and security head Gandhakam Vijay Chander.
The Incident
The premiere, held on December 4 at Sandhya Theatre in RTC X Roads, saw an overwhelming crowd surge when Allu Arjun attended the event with his co-star Rashmika Mandanna and his wife Allu Sneha Reddy. Fans, eager to catch a glimpse of the actor, caused a stampede-like situation, leading to the death of 35-year-old Revathi and leaving her young son critically injured.
Details of the Case
- A case has been registered against the theatre management, Allu Arjun, and his security team under sections 105, 118(1), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
- The Chikkadpally police confirmed that the theatre management and the actor failed to inform the authorities about the event in advance, leading to insufficient crowd management.
Allu Arjun’s Response and Apology
Following the incident, Allu Arjun publicly expressed his condolences and offered ₹25 lakh compensation to the deceased’s family. He also assured that he would cover the boy’s medical expenses.
At a press meet in Hyderabad, Arjun said:
“The money I’ve given (₹25 lakh) is only a gesture to show we’re there for them. I don’t want to disturb them; I’m giving them their space. I will never be able to help with their loss, but I will meet them once they recover. I’ll help them in whatever way I can.”
The tragic death of a fan has cast a shadow over the excitement surrounding Pushpa 2: The Rule. With three arrests made and investigations ongoing, the incident highlights the importance of crowd management and safety at large public events. While Allu Arjun’s gesture of support has been appreciated, the incident serves as a somber reminder of the need for better preparedness to avoid such heartbreaking situations in the future.
