Hyderabad: Actor Allu Arjun is being questioned by Hyderabad Police over the death of a young mother, and a life-threatening injury to her minor son at a stampede during the screening of his film, ‘Pushpa 2‘, at the city’s Sandhya Theatre on December 4
Here are the top points in the ‘Pushpa 2‘ screening stampede case:
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- Allu Arjun reached the city’s Chikkadpally Police Station shortly after 11 am. The 41-year-old actor was arrested last week from his Jubilee Hills home amid drama; he said the police followed him to his bedroom as he was changing clothes before taken into custody.
- Allu Arjun was summoned by the police on Sunday. This was after reports the cops could move the Supreme Court to cancel the Telangana High Court’s interim bail award.
- Following his arrest a lower court sent Allu Arjun to jail for 14 days but, hours later the High Court released him, citing his right to liberty and rebuked the cops – also criticised by the opposition – saying “just because he is an actor… he cannot be held like this.”
- The past week has seen both sides trade jabs pinning the blame the other for the stampede. The actor’s camp – accused of not having informed the cops of his arrival – released a letter countering that claim. The police responded by saying nobody, from the theatre or the actor’s office, met them to provide details, as is required.
- And this week, CCTV footage emerged showing cops escorting Mr Arjun from the theatre’s rear. This was after criticism that he had refused to leave even after the death of the woman. The cops have also said Mr Arjun ignored warnings against spurring on the crowd, including waving from the sun-roof of his car as he held an impromptu roadshow.
- The actor firmly contradicted the claims. “It was not a roadshow or procession. I just waved to people and went inside theatre. No cop asked me to leave… my manager told me there is an uncontrollable crowd and asked me to leave,” he told reporters.
- The actor and his security team, and the theatre owner, general and security managers have been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder. The theatre owner and staff were among six arrested after Mr Arjun; all six have since received bail.
- The cops have insisted Mr Arjun’s unannounced arrival caused the stampede as adoring fans rushed to meet or catch a glimpse of the actor. A 35-year-old woman was killed in the crush that followed, and her nine-year-old was (and remains) critically injured.
- Public sentiment has been divided over Mr Arjun’s involvement in this tragedy; on Sunday there was a protest outside his home. A mob barged in and vandalised parts of the compound; they broke flower pots and threw tomatoes at the building. The protesters, reportedly university students, also shouted slogans till they were ejected.
- The woman’s husband spoke to NDTV Monday and said he does not blame the actor for the stampede, and is ready to withdraw the police case against him. He claimed to have received the “full support” of Mr Arjun. The actor announced Rs 25 lakh for the family, while the producers of his film, ‘Pushpa 2: The Rise‘, have announced Rs 50 lakh more.
