Telugu superstar Allu Arjun, widely celebrated for his blockbuster films, was arrested following a tragic stampede during a special screening of Pushpa 2: The Rule on December 4 at Hyderabad’s Sandhya Theater. The incident claimed the life of a woman, M. Revathi, and left her teenage son critically injured. This led to the Hyderabad police filing serious charges against Arjun, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder and voluntarily causing grievous hurt under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. Here’s a detailed account of the incident, the charges filed, and the legal implications.
The Tragic Incident
The special screening of Pushpa 2: The Rule was organized a day before the film’s official release. Fans gathered in large numbers outside Sandhya Theater to catch a glimpse of the superstar. However, according to reports, neither the theater management nor Arjun’s team had informed the local police about his arrival, leaving security arrangements unprepared for the massive crowd.
When Allu Arjun arrived at 9:30 PM, the excited crowd surged towards the venue, causing the gates to collapse. In the chaos, Revathi and her son were caught in the stampede-like situation. While police officers performed CPR on the boy and managed to save his life, Revathi tragically passed away.
Legal Charges Against Allu Arjun
Following the incident, Hyderabad police registered a case under Sections 105 and 118 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. These sections correspond to:
- Section 105: Culpable homicide not amounting to murder, applicable when death is caused by an act done with the intention or knowledge that it is likely to cause death.
- Section 118: Voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous means, which includes acts causing injury through weapons, fire, or other harmful means.
The inclusion of Section 3(5) of the BNS indicates that the charges may also extend to Arjun’s security team, as it allows for collective responsibility in cases where multiple people act with a common intention.
The Role of Security and Mismanagement
The Station House Officer (SHO) of Chikkadpally police station, B. Raju Naik, stated that no intimation was given to the police about the actor’s visit. This lack of preparedness led to inadequate crowd control measures. The police allege that Arjun’s personal security team exacerbated the situation by pushing the crowd, which further escalated the chaos.
Allu Arjun’s Arrest and Bail Plea
On December 5, the police filed an FIR against Allu Arjun, his security team, and the theater management. Arjun subsequently filed a petition in the Telangana High Court to quash the FIR and halt all police proceedings. However, the court postponed the hearing, and Arjun was arrested on December 13.
The High Court is now set to hear the case, and Arjun’s legal team is expected to argue that his actions were unintentional and lacked the knowledge required to meet the threshold for culpable homicide.
Can the Charges Stick?
To secure a conviction for culpable homicide, the prosecution must prove two critical points:
- Causation: That Allu Arjun’s presence directly caused the stampede and the resulting death.
- Knowledge or Intent: That Arjun acted with the knowledge or intent that his actions would likely lead to such an outcome.
The second charge, voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous means, may hinge on the actions of his security team. If proven that they acted recklessly under his direction, the charge could be upheld.
Public Reaction and Future Implications
The incident has sparked widespread debate about crowd management and accountability during public events involving celebrities. While Allu Arjun has expressed his sorrow over the tragedy, his arrest has raised questions about the responsibilities of public figures in ensuring safety at such events.
The case also highlights the role of theater management and local authorities in preparing for large gatherings. As the investigation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the charges against Arjun will hold or if they will be dismissed due to lack of evidence.
The Telangana High Court is set to hear the case today, and its decision could have significant ramifications for Allu Arjun’s career and the broader issue of celebrity accountability in India.
