Allu Arjun Granted Interim Bail Shortly After Arrest in ‘Pushpa 2’ Stampede Case

 Indian superstar Allu Arjun was granted interim bail for four weeks on Friday evening, just hours after being taken into custody in connection with a tragic stampede at a Hyderabad theater screening of his latest blockbuster, “Pushpa 2: The Rise.”

High Court's Decision on Bail

The Telangana High Court ruled in favor of Arjun’s release, stating, “Saying that he is an actor, he cannot be deprived of his right. As a citizen of this earth, he too has the right to life and liberty.” The decision overturned a lower court's order for 14 days of judicial custody and denial of his petition to postpone the arrest until Monday.

Details of the Arrest

Earlier in the day, Arjun was taken into custody from his Jubilee Hills residence by Hyderabad police. His family, including his father, renowned filmmaker Allu Arvind, was present during the arrest. Reports indicate that police allegedly entered Arjun’s bedroom before escorting him to Chikkadpally Police Station.

The arrest stems from a December 4 incident at Sandhya Theatre, where a stampede occurred during a screening of “Pushpa 2.” The tragedy claimed one life, and charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder were filed following a complaint by the victim’s husband. The complaint alleged that organizers failed to notify authorities of the celebrity appearance, leading to the chaos.

Dispute Over Advance Notification

In a significant development, newly surfaced documentation suggests that local authorities were informed in advance of Arjun’s appearance, as well as that of co-star Rashmika Mandana, at the 9:30 PM screening. The actor’s team and theater management have maintained that they adhered to all required notification procedures.

The Tragic Incident

According to police reports, the stampede occurred as fans surged toward the main entrance to catch a glimpse of Arjun, who arrived at the venue unexpectedly. Security personnel were overwhelmed as the crowd grew uncontrollable. The victim, identified as Revathi, 35, was caught in the crush along with her nine-year-old son. While police managed to extract them and provide emergency aid, Revathi succumbed to her injuries. Her son sustained critical injuries and is receiving medical treatment.

Arjun’s Response to the Incident

Deeply moved by the tragedy, Arjun expressed his condolences on social media, writing: “Deeply heartbroken by the tragic incident at Sandhya Theatre. My heartfelt condolences go out to the grieving family during this unimaginably difficult time. I want to assure them they are not alone in this pain and will meet the family personally. While respecting their need for space to grieve, I stand committed to extend every possible assistance to help them navigate through this challenging journey.”

Arjun has pledged INR 2.5 million (approximately $29,480) in assistance to the victim’s family and has promised to cover the medical expenses for her injured son.

Pushpa 2: A Box Office Sensation

Despite the controversy, “Pushpa 2: The Rise” has been a phenomenal success, grossing $125.8 million within its first seven days of release. The film continues to dominate the box office, with fans praising Arjun’s stellar performance.

Looking Ahead

As investigations into the incident continue, Allu Arjun’s legal team is working to clear his name. Meanwhile, fans and industry insiders are eagerly awaiting further updates. This case underscores the importance of crowd control and safety measures during large-scale public events.