Actor Allu Arjun Granted Bail by Telangana High Court After Arrest in Stampede Case at Pushpa-2 Premiere
Hyderabad, 13th December 2024: The Telangana High Court granted bail to actor Allu Arjun following his arrest in connection with a stampede incident during the premiere of his film Pushpa-2 that led to the death of a woman. The Hyderabad court had earlier sent the actor to judicial custody for 14 days.
The incident occurred at Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad on December 4, where Allu Arjun allegedly appeared unannounced, causing a massive crowd to gather. The overcrowding resulted in a stampede that injured several people and claimed one life.
Arrest and Bail Timeline
The actor was arrested from his residence on Friday at 12 noon and taken to the local court by 4 pm. The court ordered judicial custody, but within an hour, Allu’s legal team filed an appeal with the Telangana High Court, which granted him bail by 5 pm.
Defence Argument
Allu Arjun’s lawyer cited a similar incident involving Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan during the promotions of Raees. The defence argued that Khan was granted relief by the Gujarat High Court and Supreme Court, setting a precedent for such cases.
Disputed Claims on Police and Theatre Management
Theatre management claimed they had informed the police two days prior about Allu Arjun’s appearance and requested security arrangements. However, the police denied receiving any such communication.
The actor, on his part, expressed objections to the manner of his arrest, claiming he was not allowed to finish breakfast or change clothes. A video surfaced showing him drinking tea in his parking lot while explaining the situation to his wife, Sneha Reddy, before being taken into custody.
Reactions and Statements
Varun Dhawan, commenting on the incident, stated, “An actor cannot take responsibility for everything. The tragedy is unfortunate, but it’s unfair to solely blame one person.”
The deceased woman’s husband, Bhaskar, added, “Allu Arjun is not responsible for the stampede. I want to withdraw the case as he had no direct involvement.”
Details of the Case
A case was registered against Allu Arjun under sections 105 and 118(1) of the BNS Act, which are non-bailable. His personal bodyguard, Santosh, was also arrested.
The stampede reportedly began as fans rushed to see Allu Arjun at the theatre, leading to overcrowding. Police used mild lathicharge to control the situation, and several fainted due to suffocation. One woman, identified as Revathi, was declared dead at the hospital.
Current Status
Allu Arjun’s bail comes with significant attention, as the incident has sparked discussions about celebrity appearances and public safety. The actor, known for his role in Pushpa, continues to trend on Google amid the controversy.
