'Pushpa 2'Actor Allu Arjun arrested
Hyderabad:
Telugu actor Allu Arjun was sent to jail for a fortnight on Friday afternoon after his arrest in connection with the theater storm in Hyderabad last week in which a woman was killed and her nine-year-old son injured. The court also rejected a plea by the actor to postpone his arrest till Monday.
Earlier today, Allu Arjun was taken to Chikkadpally police station from his home in Jubilee Hills; he later complained that police had followed him to his bedroom to take him into custody. The actor's father – noted filmmaker Allu Arvind – and other family members were present when he was arrested.
The Hyderabad Police had earlier filed a case against the 41-year-old star and several others, including members of his security team and the management of the city's Sandhya Theater.
Charges were filed for culpable homicide not amounting to murder and voluntarily causing pain.
The complaint – filed by the husband of the murdered woman – stated that the actor and the theater management had failed to inform the police of the latter's plan to attend a screening of the film at the theater.
However, Mr. Arjun's office and theater officials have maintained that the police had indeed been informed.
READ | After Allu Arjun's arrest, the letter contradicts the police's claim that there is no information
And hours after his arrest, a copy of just such a letter was released, informing police of plans for the film's stars Allu Arjun and Rashmika Mandana to visit the theater at 9:30 p.m.
On December 11, he moved the Telangana High Court, seeking quashing of the case.
The investigation will now focus on two questions: Did Mr. Arjun have permission from the police to appear at the theater where a special screening of his was being held?Pusha 2: The rule', and was he allowed to communicate with fans outside the theater, which is in an area where other movie theaters are located?
READ | Viral Video Shows'Pushpa 2' Arrest of star Allu Arjun by police
Case withdrawn?
Meanwhile, in a dramatic twist worthy of any movie, the husband of the murdered woman has withdrawn the complaint under which the case was filed. A widely shared video showed the husband, Bhaskar, telling reporters (in Telugu) that he was unaware that Mr. Arjun would be arrested on his charges.
READ | “Didn't know Allu Arjun was arrested, ready to drop the case”: Husband
“I am prepared to withdraw the case. I was not aware of the arrest. Allu Arjun has nothing to do with the stampede in which my wife died,” he said.
Pushpa 2 Stampede
The stampede broke out after the hugely popular actor gave an unplanned performance in the theater performance, according to police.Pushpa 2: The rule'. A 35-year-old woman was killed and her nine-year-old son injured as the crowd jostled and pushed each other to catch a glimpse of Allu Arjun.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner CV Anand had then said, “There was no indication on the part of the theater management or the acting team… that they will visit the theater…” and also noted that there was no separate entry or exit been. provided, even though the theater knew they were coming.
According to police, Mr. Arjun arrived at the theater at 9:30 p.m. As news of his arrival (he used the main entrance and spent 15 to 20 minutes outside) spread, hundreds of people crowded in to catch a glimpse of him. His security team started pushing back the crowd and that worsened the situation.
READ | 'Son wanted to watch Pushpa 2“: Man whose wife was murdered
The woman, identified as Revathi, and her son felt “suffocated,” police said. They were pulled from the crowd by police who administered first aid and took them to a nearby hospital.
Mr. Arjun had entered the theater by then, but the crowd had continued building in the lobby.
BRS,BJP respond
The arrest drew a scathing response from BRS leader KT Rama Rao – whose party was defeated by Congress in the Telangana elections – calling action against him “the height of ruler insecurity!”
READ | 'Head of uncertainty': KTR slams Congress over Allu Arjun's arrest
'I fully sympathize with the victims of the stampede, but who really failed? Treating Allu Arjun garu because a common criminal is undesirable, especially for something he is not directly responsible for. There is always room for respect and dignified behavior. I strongly condemn the government's wayward behavior.”
The arrest of National Award-winning star Allu Arjun is the height of insecurity of the rulers!
I completely sympathize with the victims of the stampede, but who really failed?
To deal with @alluarjunGaru because a common criminal is unwanted, especially because of something he is not directly… pic.twitter.com/S1da96atYa
— KTR (@KTRBRS) December 13, 2024
“By the same perverse logic, Revanth Reddy should be arrested for causing the death of two innocent people who died in Hyderabad due to the fear psychosis caused by Hydra…”
Mr. Reddy responded soon after, saying neither he nor his government had any role to play in the actor's arrest. “There is no political reason to read into it… everyone is equal before the law,” he said.
“Heartbroken,” said Allu Arjun
Reacting to the stampede and the woman's death, Arjun later said on I want to assure them that they are not alone. this pain and will meet the family personally.”
READ | Allu Arjun offers Rs 25 Lakh aid to family of murdered woman
Mr. Arjun also announced relief of Rs 25 lakh for the woman's family, and also promised to bear the medical expenses of the boy, whose condition was critical.
The tragic stampede sparked widespread criticism, with many calling for stricter rules around celebrity events to prevent such tragedies.
With input from agencies
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