Allu Arjun Released from Jail After Stampede Controversy: Addresses Fans and Media

Hyderabad, 14th December 2024: Actor Allu Arjun, known for his lead role in the upcoming film Pushpa 2, was released from Chanchalguda Central Jail early Saturday morning after spending nearly 18 hours in custody. His father, Allu Arvind, and father-in-law, Kancharla Chandrasekhar Reddy, arrived at the jail to receive him. Following his release, Allu Arjun visited the Geetha Arts Production House before heading to his residence in Hyderabad.

Post-Release: Family Rituals and Media Interaction

Upon reaching his home at around 9 a.m., Allu Arjun was greeted with a traditional ritual to remove the “evil eye,” a common practice in many Indian households. His mother and other family members joined in the ritual. After a warm reunion with his family, Allu stepped out to address the media, thanking his fans and expressing his thoughts on the situation.

“All my love and gratitude to the fans for their unwavering support. There’s no reason to worry—I’m doing fine. I’m a law-abiding citizen and deeply regret the unfortunate incident. My heartfelt condolences go out to the victim’s family,” Allu said.

The Controversy: Stampede at Pushpa 2 Premiere

Allu Arjun was arrested on December 13 after being accused of triggering a stampede during the premiere of Pushpa 2 at Sandhya Theater in Hyderabad on December 4. Reports suggest that his unannounced presence led to overcrowding, resulting in a stampede where one woman, Revathi, lost her life, and several others sustained injuries.

Legal Developments

Allu was taken into custody at 12 p.m. on December 13 and later presented in court at 4 p.m., where he was remanded to 14 days of judicial custody. He was granted interim bail by the Telangana High Court later that evening on a personal bond of ₹50,000. However, due to delays in processing court orders, he was released the following morning.

Reacting to the delay, Allu’s lawyer, Shok Reddy, stated, “This delay amounts to illegal detention. The jail administration will need to provide an explanation, and we are considering legal action.”

CM Revanth Reddy on the Case

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy addressed the incident, stating, “The law will take its course. I will not interfere in the investigation. Police action was taken in light of the tragic stampede that claimed a life.”

Mixed Reactions from the Victim’s Family and Industry

Bhaskar, the husband of the deceased Revathi, expressed his intention to withdraw the case. “I don’t hold Allu Arjun directly responsible for the tragedy. He is not to blame for what happened,” Bhaskar said.

Actor Varun Dhawan also commented on the controversy, saying, “An actor cannot be held solely accountable for such incidents. We can only guide the people around us. This is a heartbreaking event, and my condolences go to the victim’s family.”

Allu’s Arrest and Defence

At the time of arrest, Allu was reportedly wearing a T-shirt with the tagline “Flower Nahi, Fire Hai Main” from Pushpa 2. His lawyer drew parallels between Allu’s case and a similar incident involving Shah Rukh Khan during the promotion of Raees. The defence argued that Khan had been granted relief by higher courts, citing the lack of direct culpability in such situations.

Details of the Arrest

During the arrest, Allu reportedly objected to the treatment by authorities, claiming he was not allowed to finish breakfast or change clothes before being taken into custody. A video showed him drinking tea in his parking lot as police waited to escort him. He was later taken to Osmania Hospital for a medical checkup before being sent to jail.

Stampede Sparks Industry Debate

The tragic incident has raised questions about crowd management and safety during public appearances by celebrities. Allu Arjun’s personal bodyguard, Santosh, was also arrested in connection with the case.