Hyderabad Stampede: 8-Year-Old Sri Tej in Critical Condition After Pushpa 2 Premiere Incident

The December 4 stampede at Hyderabad’s Sandhya Theatre during the premiere show of Pushpa 2, attended by actor Allu Arjun, continues to claim its toll. An eight-year-old boy, Sri Tej, remains in critical condition and is on ventilator support at Hyderabad’s KIMS Cuddles Hospital.

1. Current Health Update: Critical Condition Persists

As per the latest health bulletin released on Tuesday by KIMS Cuddles Hospital, Sri Tej is under intensive care with no significant improvement in his neurological condition.

Key Medical Updates:

• Sri Tej is on mechanical ventilation with minimal support of oxygen and pressure.
• Doctors are considering a tracheostomy procedure, where a tube will be surgically inserted into his windpipe to assist in breathing.
• His fever is reducing, and vital parameters remain stable.
• The child is tolerating feeds well, indicating minimal improvement in certain bodily functions.

The hospital statement confirmed that Sri Tej was brought in on December 4 with low oxygen saturation and irregular breathing. Although his breathing support was temporarily removed on December 10, he had to be intubated again on December 12 due to respiratory distress.

2. Police Commissioner’s Remarks: Long Road to Recovery

After visiting the hospital, Hyderabad City Police Commissioner CV Anand shared a grim update regarding Sri Tej’s health. He stated that the child is brain-dead due to a lack of oxygen during the stampede.

“It would take a long time for him to recover,” Commissioner Anand said, highlighting the severity of the child’s condition.

3. Tragedy at Sandhya Theatre: What Happened?

The tragic incident occurred on December 4 during the premiere show of Pushpa 2 at Sandhya Theatre. Large crowds gathered to see the film’s lead actor, Allu Arjun, who attended the event.

Key Events:

• Amid the chaos, 35-year-old Mogudampalli Revathi and her eight-year-old son Sri Tej were caught in the stampede and suffered severe suffocation.
• Police on the scene performed CPR and rushed both victims to the hospital.
• Unfortunately, Revathi was declared dead upon arrival, while Sri Tej was placed on ventilator support due to his critical condition.

4. Legal Fallout: Arrests and Charges

Following the tragic incident, Hyderabad Police have taken strict action:

• Theatre Management and Allu Arjun’s team have been booked for culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
• Actor Allu Arjun was arrested last week in connection with the case but was released the next day after the Telangana High Court granted him interim bail.

The case remains under investigation as authorities look into possible negligence in managing the event and ensuring safety protocols for the large gathering.

5. Community and Family Support

The incident has deeply affected the Hyderabad community, drawing widespread attention to safety lapses at public events. The child’s family continues to receive support and prayers from well-wishers hoping for his recovery.

A Call for Safety Measures at Public Events

The Pushpa 2 premiere tragedy serves as a harsh reminder of the importance of crowd management and safety protocols at large-scale public events. As Sri Tej fights for his life, questions are being raised about the responsibility of event organizers, authorities, and the celebrity team in ensuring public safety.

The incident highlights the urgent need for stricter regulations and better preparedness to prevent similar tragedies in the future. For now, the focus remains on Sri Tej’s recovery and holding those accountable for the incident.

FAQs

1. What is the current health status of Sri Tej?
Sri Tej remains in critical condition on ventilator support, with no improvement in his neurological state.

2. What caused the Hyderabad Stampede at Sandhya Theatre?
The stampede occurred during the premiere show of Pushpa 2 when large crowds gathered to see actor Allu Arjun, leading to chaos.

3. Who has been booked in the case?
The theatre management, Allu Arjun, and his team have been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

4. What is a tracheostomy procedure?
A tracheostomy involves surgically inserting a tube into the windpipe to assist with breathing. Doctors are considering this for Sri Tej.

5. What steps are authorities taking after the incident?
Authorities are investigating the event, focusing on negligence and violations of safety protocols, while legal action is underway.