Telugu actor ‘. A 35-year-old woman was killed and her nine-year-old son was injured as the crowd jostled and shoved each other to catch a glimpse of Allu Arjun.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner CV Anand had said then, “There was no intimation from the side of theatre management or actors’ team… that they will be visiting the theatre…” and noted also that no separate entry, or exit, had been provided, even though the theatre knew they were coming.
According to the police, Mr Arjun arrived at the theatre at 9.30 pm. As news of his arrival – he used the main entrance and spent 15-20 minutes outside – spread, hundreds of people thronged to catch a glimpse of him. His security team started pushing the crowd back and that aggravated the situation.
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The woman, identified as Revathi, and her son felt “suffocated”, the police said. They were pulled out of the crowd by police who performed emergency first aid and shifted them to a nearby hospital.
Mr Arjun, by this time, had gone into the theatre, but the crowd had continued building in the lobby.
BRS, BJP React
The arrest drew a scathing response from BRS leader KT Rama Rao – whose party was thumped by the Congress in the Telangana election – called action against him “pinnacle of insecurity of rulers!”
READ | “Pinnacle Of Insecurity”: KTR Slams Congress Over Allu Arjun Arrest
“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. There is always space for respect and dignified conduct. I strongly condemn high-handed behaviour of the government.”
Arrest of National Award winning star Allu Arjun is the pinnacle of insecurity of the rulers!
I totally sympathize with the victims of the stampede but who failed really?
Treating @alluarjunGaru as a common criminal is uncalled for especially for something he isn’t directly… pic.twitter.com/S1da96atYa
— KTR (@KTRBRS) December 13, 2024
“Going by the same perverse logic, Revanth Reddy should be arrested for causing the death of two innocent people who died in Hyderabad because of the fear psychosis caused by Hydra…”
Mr Reddy responded soon after, saying neither he nor his government had any role to play in the actor’s arrest. “No political reason to be read into… all are equal before the law,” he said.
“Deeply Heartbroken”, Allu Arjun Said
Responding to the stampede and the woman’s death, Arjun later said on X, “Deeply heartbroken by the tragic incident… 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.”
READ | Allu Arjun Offers Rs 25 Lakh Aid To Family Of Woman Killed
Mr Arjun also announced assistance of Rs 25 lakh for the woman’s family, and also promised to take care of the medical expenses of the boy, whose condition was critical.
