Allu Arjun Pleads Innocence In Sandhya Theatre Stampede Case, Hyderabad Police Refutes Actor's Claim

The controversy surrounding the stampede at the premiere of 'Pushpa 2: The Rule' outside a cinema in Hyderabad on 4 December shows no signs of abating.

Telugu actor Allu Arjun continues to assert his innocence, while both the authorities and the Telangana government blame the actor for the incident, which claimed the life of a woman and left her eight-year-old son critically injured.

Photo Credit: PTI

On Sunday, Hyderabad Police released CCTV footage from Sandhya Theatre, showing Allu Arjun and his team leaving the venue under tight police security after the stampede erupted.

This followed the actor's statement during an impromptu press conference the previous day, where he claimed no police personnel had approached him in the theatre to request his departure.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Ramesh refuted Allu Arjun's statement, alleging that the actor was informed about the stampede while watching the film at Sandhya Theatre. The senior officer further claimed that the actor's team prevented him from meeting Allu Arjun in person.

"Allu Arjun's manager, Santosh, was the first to be informed about the death while they (the cast and crew) were watching the film in the theatre. We also told him that the situation was getting out of control and a boy was hospitalised. However, Santosh and others did not allow us to meet the actor," said ACP Ramesh.

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy alleged that Allu Arjun attended the premiere despite being denied police permission. "The actor did not leave the cinema hall, prompting the police to force him out," Reddy claimed.

The Chief Minister also stated that the theatre management had requested security arrangements on 2 December for the anticipated visit of prominent actors and guests on 4 December. However, the police declined the request due to crowd control concerns, noting the venue had only one entry and exit point.

Allu Arjun, however, dismissed these allegations, stating, "It was not true, and in fact, the police were clearing the way for me, and I reached the venue under their directions."

Allu Arjun's House Vandalised

On Sunday, a group of men claiming to belong to the Osmania University Joint Action Committee stormed Allu Arjun's residence in Jubilee Hills. They threw tomatoes and smashed flower pots, raising slogans against the actor and demanding justice for the woman who died. The protesters called for Rs 1 crore compensation.

Allu Arjun was not at his residence during the incident and has yet to respond to the matter.

Political Row

The controversy has sparked a political row in the state, with opposition parties BJP and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) criticising the Congress government for allegedly tarnishing the image of a national award-winning actor.

BJP leader Amit Malviya described the action against Allu Arjun as "state-sponsored terrorism", accusing the Congress of targeting the actor for refusing to campaign for them.

"Stone pelted on National Award-winning actor Allu Arjun's house. This is state-sponsored terrorism. The Congress is targeting Allu Arjun because he refused to campaign for them. He was earlier arrested in haste for a crime he didn't commit," Malviya posted on X.

BRS leader KT Rama Rao (KTR) also condemned the treatment of Allu Arjun, calling it a reflection of the "insecurity of the rulers".

"The arrest of National Award-winning star Allu Arjun is the pinnacle of insecurity of the rulers! I totally sympathise with the victims of the stampede, but who failed really? Treating Allu Arjun Garu as a common criminal is uncalled for, especially for something he isn't directly responsible," KTR said.

"There is always space for respect and dignified conduct. I strongly condemn the high-handed behaviour of the government. Going by the same perverse logic, Revanth Reddy should be arrested for causing the death of two innocent people who died in Hyderabad because of the fear psychosis caused by Hydra," he added.