Telugu superstar Allu Arjun, widely known for his blockbuster film Pushpa 2: The Rule, has found himself embroiled in controversy following a tragic incident during a special screening of the movie. The event, held on December 4 at Sandhya Theater in Hyderabad, turned chaotic, resulting in the death of a woman and serious injury to her teenage son. This led to Arjun’s arrest on December 13 on charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder and voluntarily causing grievous hurt.
What Happened at the Screening?
A day prior to the official release of Pushpa 2: The Rule, a special screening was organized at Sandhya Theater, where fans eagerly gathered to catch a glimpse of their favorite star, Allu Arjun. According to the Station House Officer (SHO) of Chikkadpally police station, no prior notice about Arjun’s arrival was given to the police or additional security arranged by the theater management.
When Arjun arrived at around 9:30 PM, the crowd surged toward the gates to see him. The unprepared security staff and the lack of crowd control measures led to the gates collapsing. As per reports, Arjun’s personal security team attempted to manage the situation by pushing back the crowd, but this further escalated the chaos.
In the resulting stampede-like scenario, a woman named M. Revathi and her teenage son were severely affected. Revathi suffocated in the melee and died before reaching the hospital, while her son, who was resuscitated by the police using CPR, remains in critical condition.
Legal Actions Taken
Following the incident, the Hyderabad police filed a case against Allu Arjun, his security team, and the Sandhya Theater management. The charges include culpable homicide not amounting to murder under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and voluntarily causing grievous hurt under Section 118(1) read with 3(5) of the BNS.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Akshansh Yadav stated that the investigation would determine accountability and that strict legal action would be taken against those found responsible. Meanwhile, Arjun approached the Telangana High Court to have the case against him dismissed, arguing that the police proceedings should be halted. However, his arrest followed soon after.
Examining the Charges
Under Section 105 of the BNS, culpable homicide involves causing death either intentionally or with the knowledge that the act could lead to death. For the charges to hold against Arjun, the prosecution must establish that his presence at the event directly caused the fatal stampede and that he was aware of the potential risks, such as inadequate security arrangements.
The charge of voluntarily causing grievous hurt under Section 118 of the BNS typically involves acts involving dangerous means like weapons or harmful substances. Legal experts suggest this may pertain to the actions of Arjun’s security team during the chaos, as they reportedly pushed back the crowd, intensifying the situation.
Are the Charges Likely to Stick?
Proving culpable homicide will require clear evidence linking Arjun’s actions to the tragic outcome and demonstrating that he had prior knowledge of the risks. Similarly, the application of Section 118 appears questionable unless the actions of his security team are directly tied to the injuries sustained by victims.
The case against Allu Arjun highlights the critical importance of crowd management and adequate security measures during high-profile public events. Whether the charges stand or are eventually dismissed, the incident serves as a somber reminder of the consequences of negligence.
News – Sanjana Kumari
