Hyderabad Police Addresses Stampede Incident at Pushpa 2 Screening
The Hyderabad Police stated that they had implemented appropriate security arrangements at the Sandhya Theatre for the highly anticipated release of Pushpa 2 on December 4. However, they attributed the tragic stampede, which claimed the life of a 35-year-old woman and left her 8-year-old son in critical condition, to the actions of actor Allu Arjun. According to the police, the actor’s unexpected gesture of waving to the crowd from his vehicle caused a surge in the gathering, ultimately leading to the chaos.
Police Hold Screening Organisers Accountable
In a press conference, Akshansh Yadav, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) of Hyderabad Central Zone, alleged that the organisers of the screening were negligent in their planning. They reportedly submitted a basic application to the police without making any effort to meet with officials to discuss the security requirements for such a high-profile event. DCP Yadav highlighted that organisers are expected to personally visit police stations or meet with senior officials, such as the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) or DCP, to provide detailed briefings about the event and the expected crowd size.
“Despite not being given adequate information, the police arranged a suitable bandobast (security setup) outside the theatre,” Yadav explained. He expressed disappointment with the organisers, saying that they failed to take additional steps to ensure public safety.
Allu Arjun's Actions Allegedly Triggered the Stampede
The DCP stated that while the crowd was manageable prior to the actor’s arrival, the situation escalated quickly after Allu Arjun reached the theatre. According to the police, the actor appeared from the sunroof of his vehicle and began waving to the assembled fans, which led to an uncontrollable surge of people towards the theatre gates. Simultaneously, his private security team allegedly began pushing the crowd to create a pathway for his vehicle, further intensifying the commotion.
“His team was instructed to take him away from the location, given the size of the crowd, but they did not follow the directions. Instead, the actor stayed inside the theatre for over two hours, which compounded the situation,” Yadav said. He emphasized that the police had done their part by arranging for crowd management, and the stampede occurred primarily due to the actor’s actions.
Theatre Owners Challenge Police Narrative
In response to police claims, letters from the theatre owners circulated online, alleging a lack of sufficient police presence despite their requests. The owners claimed that they had informed the authorities about the possibility of a massive turnout, but the police denied these allegations, maintaining that adequate measures had been taken to control the crowd.
Allegations of Misconduct During Arrest Dismissed
The police also addressed accusations that their personnel had misbehaved with Allu Arjun during his arrest. They categorically denied these claims, stating that the arrest process was conducted with due respect. “When officers arrived at his residence, Allu Arjun requested some time to change his clothes. The police waited patiently outside his bedroom. He was given enough time to interact with his family before voluntarily entering the police vehicle. There was no use of force or misconduct by the officers,” DCP Yadav clarified.
Legal Proceedings Against Allu Arjun
On Friday, actor Allu Arjun was taken into custody and remanded to 14 days of judicial custody in connection with the incident. Shortly thereafter, the High Court granted him interim bail. However, the actor was not released the same day due to procedural delays in issuing the bail order. The tragic stampede has left the public and authorities grappling with questions about accountability, event planning, and crowd safety measures.
Tragic Outcome of the Incident
The devastating stampede resulted in the death of a 35-year-old woman, while her 8-year-old son remains unconscious and on a ventilator nine days after the incident. The tragedy has sparked widespread debate about the responsibilities of event organisers, public figures, and security personnel in managing large-scale gatherings.
