Telugu film star Allu Arjun has been sentenced to 14 days in jail after being arrested in connection with a tragic stampede that occurred during the premiere of his film Pushpa 2: The Rule on December 4, 2024. The incident at Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad resulted in the death of a 39-year-old woman and left her son critically injured. The court’s decision came after a hearing where serious allegations were made against Arjun and several others involved in the event.
Court Proceedings and Charges
During the court proceedings, the prosecution presented evidence that suggested Allu Arjun’s appearance at the screening contributed to the chaotic situation that led to the stampede. The police filed charges against him under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), specifically:
- Section 105: Culpable homicide not amounting to murder
- Section 118(1): Voluntarily causing hurt
These charges stem from a complaint filed by the family of the deceased, alleging that inadequate crowd control and security measures led to the fatal incident. The police indicated that they had sufficient grounds to hold Allu Arjun responsible for the tragedy, highlighting that he was present at the event without prior notification to law enforcement about the expected crowd size.
Arjun’s legal team has since filed a petition in the Telangana High Court seeking to quash the FIR against him and halt further legal proceedings. However, following his arrest on December 13, he was taken to Nampally Court for a bail hearing, where his request was met with resistance from the prosecution.
Industry Reactions
The news of Allu Arjun’s arrest has sent shockwaves through the film industry, with many colleagues and industry experts expressing their dismay. Notably, actor Varun Dhawan commented on social media, stating that it is unfair to place sole responsibility on one individual for safety protocols during such events. He emphasized that accountability should also lie with event organizers and attendees who contribute to crowd dynamics.
Film expert Kalpeshraj Kubal echoed similar sentiments, arguing that artists are often made scapegoats in unfortunate situations like this. He pointed out that both audience behavior and organizational oversight play crucial roles in ensuring safety during public events.
In response to the tragedy, Allu Arjun publicly expressed his sorrow over the incident, extending condolences to the victim’s family and pledging financial assistance of ₹25 lakh. He stated on social media, “Deeply heartbroken by the tragic incident… I want to assure them they are not alone in this pain”.
As Allu Arjun awaits further legal developments, his arrest has sparked discussions about safety regulations at film screenings and public events, raising concerns about how such incidents can be prevented in the future.
