Telugu superstar Allu Arjun received interim bail from the Telangana High Court concerning the Sandhya Theatre stampede that led to a woman’s death and her son’s injuries during a screening of Pushpa 2. His lawyer argued similarities to Shah Rukh Khan’s 2017 Vadodara incident, highlighting that Arjun wasn’t responsible for the chaos, resulting in temporary relief amid ongoing investigations.
Hyderabad: Telugu superstar Allu Arjun was granted interim bail by the Telangana High Court on Friday in connection with the tragic Sandhya Theatre stampede in Hyderabad, which resulted in the death of a 35-year-old woman, Revathi, and left her nine-year-old son critically injured. The incident occurred during a special screening of his film Pushpa 2, sparking legal and public scrutiny.
Arguments and Bollywood Parallel
During the hearing, Allu Arjun’s lawyer compared the case to the 2017 Vadodara railway station stampede involving Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan during promotions for his film Raees. Referring to that case, the lawyer argued, “The main question is… is somebody doing a rash or negligent act?” He highlighted that while Shah Rukh Khan threw t-shirts and balls into the crowd, which allegedly triggered the stampede, he was ultimately not held criminally liable.
In Allu Arjun’s case, the lawyer stressed that the actor was on the first floor of Sandhya Theatre when the stampede occurred on the ground floor. The defense dismissed police claims that they were unaware of the actor’s visit, asserting,
“Everybody knew he was coming, even the police knew. Here the actor was not even doing anything.”
Court Observations and Ruling
The High Court acknowledged Allu Arjun’s immense popularity but underscored that it could not compromise his fundamental right to liberty. The court remarked, “Just because he is an actor… he cannot be held like this.” It granted him interim bail for four weeks, providing temporary relief amid the ongoing investigation.
What Happened at Sandhya Theatre?
The tragic incident unfolded on December 4 when Allu Arjun made what police alleged was an unscheduled appearance at the Sandhya Theatre for a special screening of Pushpa 2. The actor’s arrival at 9:30 pm drew massive crowds, leading to chaos as fans surged to catch a glimpse of him.
The Hyderabad Police stated,
“There was no intimation from the theatre management or the actor’s team about his visit. No separate entry or exit was provided despite knowing the risks.”
Allu Arjun’s team and theatre management, however, released a letter that allegedly notified the authorities about the planned visit.
Revathi’s Family Speaks Out
Revathi’s husband, Bhaskar, later revealed he did not hold Allu Arjun responsible for the tragedy, stating,
“It’s not Allu Arjun’s fault that he visited the theatre that day. I am ready to withdraw my case.”
The ‘Raees’ Connection
The Vadodara stampede during Shah Rukh Khan’s Raees promotions was also cited in this case. In April 2022, the Gujarat High Court quashed the criminal case against Khan, and the Supreme Court upheld the verdict later that year.
FOLLOW US ON YOUTUBE FOR MORE LEGAL UPDATES
