Indus Valley Times

NEW DELHI, DEC 13 : In recent developments following Telugu superstar Allu Arjun’s arrest, Bhaskar, husband of the deceased woman Revathi, said the actor was not at fault for her death, adding that he is ready to withdraw the case if necessary, adding that he wasn’t informed about Allu Arjun’s arrest.

The actor, however, has been sent to judicial remand for 14 days. He will soon be shifted to Chanchalguda jail in some time.

Meanwhile, Telangana High Court Justice Juvvadi Sridevi is hearing a quash petition filed by the Pushpa actor regarding his earlier proceedings. The petition was filed as a lunch motion, seeking urgent relief in light of recent legal developments surrounding the actor.

Allu Arjun’s lawyers requested the court to defer his arrest until Monday, citing concerns over his legal situation following bookings under serious sections of the law. These sections, if proven in court, could lead to significant penalties, including imprisonment.

The legal case has drawn widespread attention, with fans and observers eagerly awaiting the court’s decision. The specifics of the charges against the Pushpa actor have not been disclosed, but the gravity of the situation underscores the urgency of his petition.

On Friday, Telugu star Allu Arjun was arrested in connection with a stampede that occurred during the premiere of his film Pushpa 2 on December 4. The actor has been booked under 105 (Culpable homicide) and 118 (1) (Causing Hurt) of BNS sections.

Police have filed a case against the management of Sandhya Theatre, where the incident took place, as well as against the actor and his security team. The stampede resulted in the death of a 39-year-old woman, Revathi, and left her son, Sreethej, critically injured.

Officials revealed that they had not been informed about the actor’s arrival for the premiere. Allu Arjun was taken into custody on Friday by the officials of the Chikkadpally police station in Hyderabad, where the case has been registered.

Under 105 BNS section, whoever commits culpable homicide not amounting to murder, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than five years but which may extend to ten years.

The actor’s father – well-known filmmaker Allu Arvind – and other family members were present when he was arrested.

Allu Arjun has claimed that the cops entered his bedroom to arrest him and did not give him time to change his clothes or finish breakfast.

Coming to what exactly went down during the stampede incident, a large crowd had gathered at the theatre around 9:40 pm for the Pushpa 2 premiere. The theatre management failed to make adequate security arrangements or inform the public about the planned appearance of some of the film’s lead actors, which led to chaos.

At approximately 9:30 pm, Allu Arjun arrived at the theatre with his personal security team, causing a surge of people eager to catch a glimpse of him. His security team pushed through the crowd to allow him entry into the lower balcony area.

In the ensuing disorder, Revathi and her son Sreethej were caught in the crush and suffocated. They were rushed to the hospital, where Revathi was declared dead, while Sreethej remains under medical care at a city hospital.

A few days back, the police arrested three of the theatre management in connection with Revathi’s death.

Two days after the stampede, Allu Arjun expressed condolences and his support to the victim’s family. He promised to donate financial aid of Rs 25 lakh to the family and also bear the medical expenses of the boy, who is currently undergoing treatment.

After a medical check-up, the Telugu superstar was produced before Nampally court.

Hours after the actor’s arrest, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy emphasised that law will take its due process and said that nobody will interfere in the investigation of the case.

Opposition BJP and the BRS on Friday lashed out at the ruling Congress party in Telangana over the Pushpa star’s arrest, questioning the treatment meted out to the actor.

BJP leader and Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar said the actor deserved a better treatment, while BRS Working President K T Rama Rao slammed the government for treating the star like a “common criminal.”

Bandi, in a post on ‘X’ alleged the National Award-winning actor was “lifted straight from his bedroom” without even being given time to change, which according to him is a “disgraceful act of mismanagement and disrespect”.

“A star of his stature, who brought global recognition to Indian cinema, deserved better treatment,” said the Union Minister of State for Home.

Describing the tragic death of a woman at Sandhya theatre, where Allu Arjun’s Pushpa 2 was released recently, as deeply unfortunate, the minister said the incident only underscores the Congress government’s failure to manage the massive crowd.

The real failure lies in the Congress government’s ‘inability’ to ensure proper arrangements for such a high-profile event, he further charged.

“This negligence and mishandling are unacceptable. Icon Star (Allu Arjun) and his fans deserve dignity, not chaos,” stressed Bandi.

Rama Rao also criticised Allu Arjun’s arrest, calling it “unwarranted and inappropriate”.

Taking a dig at the Congress government, Rao said the arrest was 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,” Rao said on social media platform ‘X’.

Rao emphasised the need for “respect” and “dignified conduct” while condemning the government’s alleged high-handed behaviour.

Meanwhile, senior actor N Balakrishna termed the Telugu star’s arrest as ‘unjust’ and promised to always stand by him.

Senior YSRCP leader and former minister Andhra Pradesh minister Ambati Rambabu in a social media post said the arrest was unfair.

Additionally, Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan came out in support of the Pushpa actor. At a promotional event of Baby John in Jaipur, Dhawan said, “An actor cannot take everything upon himself. The incident that happened is very painful, and I extend my condolences. But at the same time, you cannot blame just one person.”

Telangana High Court Justice Juvvadi Sridevi is set to hear a quash petition filed by Allu Arjun regarding his earlier proceedings.

“I will put forth judgements where quash petition (was entertained) after arrest, in that bail was granted,” stated Advocate Niranjan Reddy.

The petition was filed as a lunch motion, seeking urgent relief in light of recent legal developments surrounding the actor.

Allu Arjun’s lawyers requested the court to defer his arrest until Monday, citing concerns over his legal situation following bookings under serious sections of the law. These sections, if proven in court, could lead to significant penalties, including imprisonment.

The legal case has drawn widespread attention, with fans and observers eagerly awaiting the court’s decision. The specifics of the charges against the Pushpa actor have not been disclosed, but the gravity of the situation underscores the urgency of his petition.

-PTI