Hyderabad police have registered a case against the theatre management, actor Allu Arjun, and his security team, days after a 39-year-old woman was killed in a stampede during the premiere of Pushpa 2 at Sandhya Theatre.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Akshansh Yadav a case has been filed under sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 118(1) r/w 3(5) (voluntarily causing grievous hurt) of the BNS Act. The case, registered at Chikkadpally police station, is based on a complaint by the victim’s family.
“It is being investigated. Stringent action as per law will be taken against all the persons responsible for the chaotic situation inside the theatre leading to the death of a person and injury to others,” the DCP told The Indian Express.
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The incident claimed the life of M Revathi, while her nine-year-old son, Sreethej, remains in critical condition. In a statement, Yadav slammed the theatre management for failing to inform the police about the arrival of Allu Arjun and other cast members.
Station House Officer (SHO) of Chikkadpally police station, B Raju Naik, said the crowd outside the theatre swelled as fans gathered to watch the movie and catch a glimpse of the actors.
“The theatre management did not make any additional provisions regarding security to manage the crowd. There was no separate entry or exit for the actors’ team though the theatre management had information about their arrival. Around 9:30 pm, actor Allu Arjun came to the theatre with his personal security and all the people gathered there tried to enter with him. His personal security team started pushing the public, which further aggravated the situation as there was already a huge gathering. Taking advantage of this situation, along with the actor and his security team, a large number of people entered the lower balcony area,” the SHO said, The Indian Express reported.
“Revathi and her son Sreethej felt suffocated due to the large public influx. Immediately the police personnel who were on duty pulled them out of the public from the lower balcony. They performed CPR on her son and immediately shifted them to the nearby Durgabai Deshmukh Hospital. The doctors informed that she was dead and her son was advised to be shifted to another hospital for better treatment,” the SHO added.
In a statement, hospital officials said the child’s critical condition stems from severe hypoxia and possible lung injuries. “Prompt CPR provided by bystanders and the police was instrumental in reviving the child, enabling further medical intervention,” the statement said.
Authorities are continuing the investigation and said appropriate actions will be taken against those found responsible.