Tollywood star Allu Arjun moved the Telangana High Court seeking to quash the FIR registered against him in connection with the tragic death of a 35-year-old woman named Revathi in a stampede during Pushpa 2: The Rule’s premiere at the Sandhya 70mm theater. The tragedy that took place on December 4 also left Revathi’s 13-year-old son Sreetej severely injured when a large crowd rushed to catch a glimpse of Allu Arjun, who visited the theater along with his family.
Arjun has filed a petition to quash the FIR and requested a stay on all further proceedings, including arrest. The High Court is expected to hear his plea this week. Allu Arjun’s counsel argued in his petition that the actor was unaware of the stampede as he was inside the theater at the time of the incident. The counsel also informed the court that the production house had intimated the arrival of the actor to the theater management and the Assistant Commissioner of Police to avoid any untoward incident.
On the other hand, even the Sandhya 70mm theater management has informed the court that they had requested police bandobast from the ACP, the SHO, and the traffic police to manage the large crowds during Pushpa 2: The Rule’s premiere. The counsel representing the theater management told the court that despite their request, only limited police personnel were deployed.
It’s well known that following the tragedy, the Chikkadpally Police booked Allu Arjun and his security personnel and Sandhya 70mm theater management under Sections 105 and 118 (1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita based on a complaint lodged by the victim’s husband. The police arrested one of the theater owners, its senior manager, and the lower balcony in charge.
