Chargesheet Filed Against Allu Arjun Over Pushpa 2 Stampede Incident

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

Renowned South Indian actor Allu Arjun has been implicated in a chargesheet comprising 23 individuals concerning a tragic stampede during the December 2024 premiere of Pushpa 2 at Sandhya Theatre, Hyderabad.

Filed by the Chikkadpally police and presented to the 9th Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) court at Nampally, the chargesheet comes more than a year after the incident that raised alarms about safety protocols at high-profile events.

Details of the Chargesheet

The court document includes Allu Arjun, his personal manager, other staff, eight private bouncers, as well as the theatre’s management and owners as defendants. Authorities indicated severe negligence and failures in crowd management led to this tragedy.

The investigation found that the theatre did not implement sufficient crowd control measures, despite being informed of the star's appearance. Moreover, police had denied permission for Allu Arjun to attend due to safety issues, a significant point mentioned in the chargesheet.

Tragic Events of December 4, 2024

The stampede took place on the evening of December 4, when a significant number of fans gathered at Sandhya Theatre in RTC X Roads, eager to see the actor during the film's debut.

In the ensuing chaos, 35-year-old M. Revathi tragically lost her life, while her nine-year-old son, Sritej, suffered critical injuries due to oxygen deprivation. They had come to the premiere because the child was a devoted admirer of Allu Arjun.

Sritej's Ongoing Recovery

Sritej was swiftly taken to a private facility in Secunderabad, where he was placed on a ventilator in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit. Doctors reported alarmingly low oxygen levels, causing serious neurological issues.

After receiving intensive treatment for over four months, he was discharged on April 29, 2025, and is now undergoing extended therapy at a neuro-rehabilitation center in Hyderabad. The family has been relentlessly seeking additional compensation to cover ongoing medical expenses.

Reasons Behind the Stampede

The chargesheet notes that movements of private security personnel and specific actions directed at the crowd led to an unexpected surge, exacerbating the already tense atmosphere. Authorities contend that the conduct of bouncers and staff members fueled the panic.

Charges have been placed under Section 304-A of the Indian Penal Code, concerning death caused by negligence against the theatre's owners, alongside pertinent sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to bodily injury and recklessness endangering public safety.

Progression to Trial

Allu Arjun was temporarily detained in December 2024 before being released on bail. Police sources have noted that the actor was cooperative throughout the investigation, having faced multiple interrogations.

"With the investigation concluded and all evidence submitted, the legal proceedings will now continue," stated an official connected to the case.

With the chargesheet filed, the case has moved into the trial stage, intensifying scrutiny on accountability, measures for event safety, and the roles of celebrities and organizers at large-scale gatherings.