Telugu actor Allu Arjun was questioned by Hyderabad Police after a stampede at a city theatre this month killed a 35-year-old woman and left her eight-year old with life threating injuries. Mr. Arjun, 41, had been summoned by the cops Monday to join the investigation.
Among the questions thrown at him by the police were:
- Did you know police permission had been denied for you to come to the premiere?
- Who took the call to proceed with the plan (for the actor to attend the special screening) despite denial of police permission?
- Did any police officer inform you about the stampede outside?
- When did you know about the death of the woman?
The questions are in line with what sources told the media will be the focus of the investigation – a. did Mr Arjun have permission to appear at the theatre, and b. did he have permission to interact with fans outside the theatre, which is in a city neighbourhood home to other cinema halls?
Allu Arjun had been arrested by the police on December 13, nine days after the stampede at Hyderabad’s Sandhya Theatre. Hours later he was sent to judicial custody for 14 days.
The police claim Allu Arjun’s unannounced arrival at the theatre – where a special screening of his new film was to take place – prompted the stampede as large numbers of his fans jostled and shoved each other aside for a glimpse of the actor. The woman died in the melee that followed.
Also Read: Secure Your Homes With Apple’s New Home Security System!
Actor Allu Arjun reached Chikkadpally police station in Hyderabad to appear before the police in connection with the Sandhya theater case.#AlluArjun #Pushpa2 #FIR #Police #Complaint #Telugusuperstar #PowerCorridors pic.twitter.com/v6eaWCXZ2m
— POWER CORRIDORS (@power_corridors) December 24, 2024
The woman, whom police have identified as Revathi, and her child were pulled out from under the crowd by the cops, who performed emergency first aid and shifted them to a nearby hospital.
The police claim Mr Arjun arrived at the theatre at 9.30 pm. As news of his arrival – he used the main entrance and spent 15-20 minutes outside – spread, hundreds gathered. His security team – and bouncers at the theatre – started pushing the crowd back and that aggravated the situation.
The cops have also said the bouncers were “behaving recklessly”. “Despite the presence of the public and police, they pushed everyone aside. Their sole focus was on the VIP (Mr Arjun),” Hyderabad Police Commissioner CV Anand told reporters last week.
Mr Arjun, meanwhile, has categorically dismissed allegations he was responsible for the tragic death. Speaking at a press conference Saturday, he described the incident as “very unfortunate” and criticised what he called “misinformation” and “character assassination” against him.
