Allu Arjun summoned by Hyderabad police over deadly Pushpa 2 stampede

Actor Allu Arjun, the star of the upcoming film Pushpa 2, has been summoned by the Hyderabad Police for questioning tomorrow in connection with a tragic stampede incident at the Sandhya Theatre during the screening of his film on December 4. The stampede claimed the life of a woman and left her son critically injured. This incident has become a high-profile case due to the involvement of the actor and the subsequent legal developments.

According to police sources, Allu Arjun is required to appear at the Chikkadpally police station at 11 a.m. tomorrow. This notice follows his arrest on December 13, when a city court remanded him to 14 days of judicial custody. However, the Telangana High Court granted him interim bail on the same day for a period of four weeks. Reports suggest that the police are planning to challenge this interim bail in court, potentially seeking its cancellation.

The incident has raised serious legal and public concerns. Following the stampede, Allu Arjun, the theatre management, and his promotional team were charged under Section 304 of the Indian Penal Code for culpable homicide not amounting to murder. The charges stem from allegations that the actor visited the theatre without obtaining police permission and conducted a promotional event described as a "roadshow," which is believed to have contributed to the crowd surge.

Hyderabad Police Commissioner CV Anand addressed the media, stating that the police have sought legal opinion on their next steps. To counter claims made by Allu Arjun and his team, the police released a 10-minute video compiled from over 1,000 CCTV clips, which they say provides a detailed account of the events leading to the stampede. The footage shows the chaos that unfolded at the theatre and contradicts the actor’s statements.

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy also weighed in on the controversy during a state assembly session, sharply criticizing Allu Arjun for what he called "irresponsible behavior" in organizing a promotional event without adequate safety measures. The Chief Minister emphasized the need for accountability, given the loss of life and injuries.

Allu Arjun has denied the allegations, calling them baseless and expressing his anguish over what he referred to as a "character assassination" campaign. In a press conference following his release, the actor stated that he is cooperating with the investigation and is committed to clearing his name. Meanwhile, his legal team has been actively preparing for tomorrow’s questioning, which marks a critical juncture in this case.

The incident has sparked public debate over the accountability of celebrities and event organizers, especially in situations where public safety is compromised. The Hyderabad Police’s approach, including the release of CCTV footage, has drawn attention for its transparency and thoroughness in handling the case.