Hyderabad Police have filed a charge sheet in the Sandhya Theatre stampede case, which occurred during the Pushpa-2 movie premiere show at RTC Cross Roads. The Chikkadpally Police submitted the charge sheet at the Nampally Court, completing the investigation into the tragic incident.
According to officials, the charge sheet runs into 112 pages and was filed on the 24th of this month after a detailed investigation. Popular Telugu actor Allu Arjun has been named as an accused in the case.
Key Findings of the Investigation
Police stated that Allu Arjun arrived at the theatre while conducting a roadshow without prior permission, despite the likelihood of a massive fan turnout. The investigation concluded that the theatre management failed to make advance arrangements and did not adequately plan for crowd control, which directly contributed to the stampede.
Authorities also highlighted the lack of coordination between the theatre management, event organizers, and private security personnel. Both inside and outside the theatre, the number of spectators and fans exceeded capacity. There were insufficient arrangements to regulate entry and exit, leading to chaotic conditions that ultimately resulted in the stampede.
Evidence Collected by Police
As part of the probe, police examined 52 individuals, including injured victims, eyewitnesses, and police personnel, and recorded their statements. CCTV footage from the theatre and mobile phone videos recorded on the day of the incident were collected and analyzed. Technical evidence gathered during the investigation has been submitted to the court along with the charge sheet.
Background of the Case
The incident took place on December 4 last year, during the Pushpa-2 premiere show at Sandhya Theatre, RTC Cross Roads, Hyderabad. Following Allu Arjun’s arrival at the venue, a stampede broke out. In the incident, Renuka, a resident of Dilsukhnagar, lost her life, while her son Sritej sustained severe injuries.
Sritej remained in a coma for several days and underwent treatment in hospital for nearly 10 months. Though he has returned home, his medical treatment is still ongoing.
On the same day of the incident, Chikkadpally Police registered a case, naming Sandhya Theatre owner Agamati Peda Ram Reddy as A-1 and Allu Arjun as A-11.
Arrests and Legal Status
A total of 23 people have been named as accused in the case. So far, 14 individuals, including Allu Arjun, have been arrested, while the remaining 9 accused obtained anticipatory bail from the court.
Speaking to the media, Chikkadpally ACP Ramesh Kumar stated that police had advised Allu Arjun not to attend the premiere show. Despite this, he arrived, following which fans rushed into the lower balcony at once. This resulted in suffocation, leading to a fatality. The ACP emphasized that the theatre management must also be held responsible for the incident.
Conclusion
The filing of the charge sheet marks a significant development in the Pushpa-2 premiere stampede case, bringing accountability to those involved. The case underscores the importance of crowd management, prior permissions, and coordinated security arrangements during high-profile public events.