In a major development in the Pushpa 2: The Rule stampede case, Hyderabad police have filed a chargesheet against 23 individuals, including Telugu film star Allu Arjun, in connection with the tragic crowd crush that occurred during the film’s pre‑release event at Sandhya Theatre last year.
The incident, which took place on December 4, 2024, erupted during a highly anticipated premiere screening of Pushpa 2 in the RTC X Roads area. A large number of fans had gathered to catch a glimpse of the star, and a sudden surge in the crowd led to a stampede, resulting in the death of a 35‑year‑old woman, identified as M. Revathi, and leaving her young son seriously injured due to oxygen deprivation and prolonged medical complications.
The chargesheet, submitted earlier this week by the Chikkadpally police before the 9th Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) court in Nampally, names 23 accused including Allu Arjun, who is listed as Accused No. 11 (A‑11). According to police, alongside the actor, the list includes his personal security staff, private bouncers, managers, and key members of the Sandhya Theatre management and event organisers.
Authorities allege that serious lapses in crowd management and security arrangements, combined with a failure to implement adequate safety protocols, contributed to the chaotic situation. Police have reportedly stated that permission for the actor’s appearance had been denied by authorities due to safety concerns, but the visit went ahead regardless, further aggravating the risk of a crowd surge.
The stampede brought to light concerns about event safety during high‑profile public gatherings, particularly when expectations are high and crowd control measures are insufficient. The theatre’s management has been named the prime accused, with charges invoked under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Indian Penal Code related to causing death by negligence and endangering public safety.
Allu Arjun was briefly arrested in December 2024 in connection with the case but was later granted bail by the Telangana High Court. Reports indicate that he has been cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
With the chargesheet now filed, the case is set to enter the trial stage, where the courts will examine the evidence and determine accountability for the tragic incident. The victim’s family has previously sought greater accountability and compensation to cover long‑term medical care for the injured child.