Allu Arjun, Others Ordered to Appear as Court Issues Summons

Hyderabad, June 20: A city court has issued summons to Telugu film star Allu Arjun and 22 other accused in connection with the Pushpa 2 stampede case, directing them to appear in person on June 22. The development comes months after Hyderabad Police submitted a comprehensive charge sheet detailing the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident that occurred during the premiere screening of the blockbuster film.

The charge sheet, filed before the court on December 24, names a total of 23 individuals as accused in the case. Following its review of the investigation records, the court ordered all those named in the document to appear before it for further proceedings.

According to officials, the theatre’s owner, partners, manager, lower-balcony supervisor and gatekeeper have been listed as accused numbers one to ten. Actor Allu Arjun has been named as accused number eleven, while other individuals associated with event management and security arrangements have also been included in the case.

The matter stems from a tragic incident that took place on December 4, 2024, during the premiere of Pushpa 2 at Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad. A large number of fans had gathered outside the venue hoping to catch a glimpse of the actor, leading to overcrowding and chaos.

During the rush, a 35 year old woman lost her life while her eight year old son sustained injuries. The incident triggered widespread public concern and prompted an extensive investigation into crowd management arrangements and safety measures at the venue.

Based on a complaint lodged by the deceased woman’s family, Hyderabad Police registered a case against several parties, including the actor, members of his security team and theatre management officials. The case was filed under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), focusing on alleged negligence and lapses linked to the tragedy.

The investigation examined multiple aspects, including crowd control planning, security deployment, emergency response mechanisms and compliance with safety regulations. Statements from witnesses, theatre staff and officials were reportedly included as part of the inquiry.

In December 2024, Allu Arjun was taken into custody in connection with the case. He was subsequently granted interim bail by the Telangana High Court and released the following day. The actor later secured regular bail, allowing him to remain free while legal proceedings continued.

Following the tragedy, Allu Arjun and the producers of Pushpa 2 announced financial assistance for the affected family. The Telangana government also extended compensation and support measures to help the family cope with the loss.

The latest summons marks a significant step in the judicial process as the court prepares to hear the matter and consider the findings presented in the police charge sheet. The appearance of all accused before the court is expected to pave the way for further legal proceedings in the high-profile case.

The Pushpa 2 stampede case continues to draw public attention due to the involvement of one of the Telugu film industry’s biggest stars and the tragic circumstances surrounding the incident. Legal experts say the upcoming hearing will be crucial in determining the next course of action as the court examines the evidence collected during the investigation.