In the aftermath of a tragic stampede during the premiere of Allu Arjun’s “Pushpa 2: The Rule” at Sandhya 70MM Theatre in Hyderabad, the city’s police have issued a show cause notice to the theatre management. The event, held on December 4, resulted in the death of a 35-year-old woman and left her 9-year-old son critically injured, raising serious questions about crowd management and safety protocols at the venue.
Police Action and Allegations Against Theatre Management
Hyderabad Police Commissioner C.V. Anand pointed out 11 major lapses by the theatre management, alleging their failure to ensure the safety of attendees. The notice was served to Renuka Devi, the licensee of Sandhya 70MM Theatre, demanding an explanation within 10 days. Key issues highlighted include:
- Lack of Crowd Management: No proper entry, exit, or seating plans were in place to handle the surge of fans.
- Illegal Erection of Flexes: Unauthorized large banners and cutouts outside the premises encouraged overcrowding.
- Absence of Proper Signage: No clear signboards to guide attendees on entry and exit points.
- Failure to Communicate Actor’s Arrival: The management allegedly did not inform authorities or plan for the anticipated massive gathering.
- Ineffective Private Security: The actor’s private security reportedly aggravated the situation by pushing back the crowd.
Tragic Consequences
The stampede claimed the life of a woman and left her son, Teja, critically injured and on ventilator support. Doctors suspect the boy may have suffered brain damage due to oxygen deprivation. Commissioner Anand visited the hospital and emphasized the importance of accountability for the tragic incident.
Legal Implications
The theatre management, along with Allu Arjun and his team, has been booked under sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 118(1) (voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous means) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
- On Friday, Allu Arjun was arrested and sent to judicial custody for 14 days.
- The Telangana High Court later granted him interim bail, and he was released the following morning.
Mixed Responses and Next Steps
While the theatre management circulated a letter claiming they had alerted authorities about the actor’s visit and sought security arrangements, conflicting reports suggest the Chikkadpally police denied permission for the actor’s attendance.
The police warned that failure to respond to the notice within the stipulated time would result in the cancellation of the theatre’s license.
Government and Public Reaction
This incident has sparked a broader conversation about the need for stricter safety measures and better coordination between event organizers and law enforcement agencies. The tragic loss of life has underscored the importance of crowd control, especially at high-profile events.