Allu Arjun Questioned By Hyderabad Police Following Pushpa 2 Stampede Tragedy

HYDERABAD: Actor Allu Arjun is being questioned by Hyderabad Police in connection with the death of a young mother and the fatal injuries to her child after a stampede at the city's Sandhya Theatre on December 4.

Allu Arjun appeared at the Chikkadpally Police Station in Hyderabad today at 11am for questioning over the stampede incident during a screening of Pushpa 2: The Rise.

The actor was arrested last week at his Jubilee Hills home after a dramatic sequence where police followed him into his bedroom while he was changing clothes before taking him into custody.

The police summoned Allu Arjun on Sunday after reports suggested they were considering moving the Supreme Court to cancel the Telangana High Court's interim bail order. The actor had been sent to jail for 14 days by a lower court, but was released by the High Court after a few hours, citing his right to liberty and criticizing the police.

The opposition also condemned the police's actions, saying the actor was not to be treated like this merely because of his celebrity status.

Both sides have exchanged accusations over the stampede. Allu Arjun’s team claimed they had informed the police about his arrival, releasing a letter to counter claims of non-cooperation. However, the police insisted that neither the actor’s team nor the theatre management provided necessary details as required.

CCTV footage has since emerged showing police escorting the actor from the theatre's rear after critics accused him of refusing to leave despite the tragedy. The police also stated that Arjun ignored warnings, including waving from his car’s sunroof, which led to the crowd becoming uncontrollable.

The actor, his security team, and the theatre staff have been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder. The theatre owner and staff were among six individuals arrested, though all six have since received bail.

The stampede occurred when a large crowd of fans gathered to see Allu Arjun, resulting in the death of a 35-year-old woman and critical injuries to her nine-year-old child.

Public opinion remains divided on the actor’s involvement, and protests broke out outside his home over the weekend. A group of university students vandalized his property, breaking flower pots and throwing tomatoes at the building while chanting slogans.

The woman's husband spoke to the media on Monday, expressing that he does not blame Allu Arjun for the stampede. He also stated that he was willing to withdraw the police case, claiming to have received full support from the actor. In response, Allu Arjun announced a Rs. 25 lakh donation to the family, with the producers of Pushpa 2 contributing an additional Rs. 50 lakh.

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