Actor Allu Arjun has been picked up for questioning by the Hyderabad Police in connection with a tragic stampede that occurred on the night of December 4, 2024, at Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad. The stampede, which led to the death of a 35-year-old woman named Revathi and left her eight-year-old son critically injured, has raised serious concerns about crowd management and safety at public events.
According to the police, the incident took place around 9:30 PM when Allu Arjun arrived at the theatre to watch a film, accompanied by his personal security team. A large crowd had gathered outside the theatre, eager to catch a glimpse of the popular actor. As Allu Arjun entered the venue, the crowd attempted to follow him inside, leading to chaos. The actor’s security team allegedly began pushing people back, which aggravated the situation, causing a rush that led to the stampede.
Revathi and her son were reportedly caught in the crowd in the lower balcony area. The police personnel on duty managed to pull them out of the crowd and performed CPR on the boy, but Revathi was declared dead upon arrival at the hospital. The young boy is currently receiving treatment at a Super Speciality Hospital and remains in critical condition.
The Hyderabad City Police have registered a case against Allu Arjun, his security team, and the theatre management under sections 105 and 118(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), based on a complaint lodged by the deceased woman's family. The police investigation revealed that neither the theatre management nor the actor's team had made adequate arrangements for crowd control, despite knowing about the actor's visit. There were no additional security measures, nor was there a separate entry or exit for the actor’s team, which worsened the situation.
Earlier, the police had arrested three individuals in connection with the incident: a co-owner of the theatre, the senior manager, and the in-charge of the lower balcony. The police stated that the theatre management had prior knowledge of Allu Arjun's visit but failed to take necessary precautions to prevent such an incident.
As the investigation continues, Allu Arjun has been questioned regarding his role in the event. While no formal charges have been filed against him yet, the police are looking into whether his security team's actions contributed to the escalation of the situation.
The tragic incident has sparked a wider conversation about the responsibilities of celebrities, their security teams, and event organizers in ensuring the safety of the public, especially during high-profile appearances.
The police investigation is ongoing, and further updates will follow.