Allu Arjun Charged in Sandhya Theatre Stampede Case Linked to Pushpa 2 Premiere

Hyderabad police have filed a chargesheet against Telugu superstar Allu Arjun and 22 others in connection with the tragic Sandhya Theatre stampede during the premiere of Pushpa 2: The Rule in December 2024.

The 100-page chargesheet lists Allu Arjun as the 11th accused (A-11), while the primary accused is the Sandhya Theatre management, held responsible for inadequate crowd control and safety lapses.

Police also pressed charges against the actor’s manager and several event organisers.

The incident claimed the life of a woman and left her minor son seriously injured. Investigations revealed that despite warnings of overcrowding, organisers failed to arrange adequate security.

Allu Arjun’s surprise visit allegedly worsened the situation, drawing larger crowds.

Charges include culpable homicide not amounting to murder, negligence causing death, and endangering life.

Authorities noted that organisers did not obtain prior permissions for the actor’s appearance, contributing to the mishandling of the event.

Allu Arjun, who was briefly arrested and later granted bail, expressed condolences to the victim’s family and maintained he was unaware of the chaos outside.

His legal team is expected to respond to the chargesheet in court.

The case has sparked debate on celebrity responsibility during public appearances and the need for stricter regulations at film events.

While fans rallied in support of the actor, victims’ rights advocates demanded accountability.

The development comes amid the massive success of Pushpa 2, which shattered box office records. Court hearings are scheduled in the coming weeks.