‘Law-abiding citizen’: Allu Arjun responds to Revanth Reddy’s charges on ‘Pushpa 2’ stampede

The actor, without referring to anyone, also refuted the allegations that he held a roadshow waving to the crowd.

"Had there not been permission, they would have told us to return and I am a law-abiding citizen. I would’ve followed that. Nothing of that sort of information was given to me. I was following as per their guidance and it was not a roadshow. There was no procession. It was just a crowd a few meters away from the theatre,” he said, adding it was the police who were clearing the way for him and he reached the venue under their directions.

Actor did not leave cinema hall even after stampede: CM

A 35-year-old woman died and her eight-year-old son was injured on December 4 when a stampede-like situation broke out at the Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad when thousands of fans jostled to have a glimpse of Allu Arjun, who stars in ‘Pushpa 2’ at the premiere of the film.

Also read: Allu Arjun attended 'Pushpa 2' screening despite police ban: CM Revanth Reddy

Reddy on Saturday alleged that even after the death of the woman in the stampede, the actor did not leave the cinema hall, prompting the police to force him out.

Responding to the issue after AIMIM MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi raised it in the Assembly, Reddy, referring to videos in circulation, found fault with Allu Arjun for holding a roadshow and waving to the crowds in spite of the heavy crowd.

Reddy further said the theatre management submitted a letter to the police on December 2 seeking security for the visit of top actors and others on December 4. However, the police rejected the application, citing difficulties in crowd management and the fact that the theatre had only one entry and exit.

‘Actor’s private security pushed aside fans, triggering stampede’

Chief Minister Reddy also alleged that before entering the theatre and exiting, the actor stood through the sunroof of his car and waved to the crowds in a roadshow, leading to thousands of fans jostling to get a glimpse of him.

Reddy said thousands of fans gathered when the actor reached as there are several theatres at the locality.

The actor's private security pushed aside the fans, which led to a stampede-like situation, Reddy said.

Also read: Allu Arjun was normal in prison, had rice and veg curry for dinner: Officials

Reddy, who narrated the incident, said the theatre management did not initially allow a police official to meet the actor to convey him to leave the place in view of the prevailing situation. However, the official reached the actor and asked him to leave, as the crowd would not go unless he left. The actor did not budge.

A senior police official, who then reached the spot, told the actor to leave the place immediately, failing which, he would have to be taken to the police station as the situation was out of control.

The senior official forced the actor out of the theatre. Even while leaving, the actor again waved to the crowd. "What type of person (the actor was)", Reddy asked.

CM’s dig at film personalities

Reddy accused the actor of not behaving properly with the police when the latter reached his residence to inform him about the case against him.

The chief minister also slammed film personalities for making a beeline for Allu Arjun's residence to meet him after his arrest but not showing empathy to visit the boy who is undergoing treatment in hospital and faced a brain dead-like situation after suffering injuries in the incident.

"I appeal to the top film personalities that they should not be inhuman," he said.

Also read: 'Pushpa 2-The Rule' dislodges 'RRR', 'KGF-2' to become 3rd highest grossing Indian film

"When he (Allu Arjun) was taken to police station for a day, the high court also accepted lunch motion petition and gave him bail. Our people are saying release him at 12 in the night. Where is the provision (to release at midnight)?," he asked.

Attack at KT Rama Rao

The chief minister also said he is continuously monitoring the boy's health condition.

The film industry can take incentives, subsidies from the government but there won't be any special privileges when untoward incidents like death in a stampede happen and said the government would not spare those who troubled common people, he said.

Reddy attacked BRS working president K T Rama Rao, without naming him, for his criticism against the government when Allu Arjun was arrested.

State Cinematography Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy spoke against allowing 'benefit shows' in the night without permissions. He announced Rs 25 lakh assistance from his side to the family of the deceased, besides the government taking care of the boy's health.

Condition of 8-year-old boy

Meanwhile, the eight-year-old boy, who is undergoing treatment at a private super-speciality hospital here, is maintaining his vital parameters well on his own without any external support of oxygen or inotropes.

"He continues to tolerate nasogastric feeds well. He had recurrence of intermittent fever spikes for which some investigations have been sent. His neurological condition is static," the KIMS Cuddles, said in a release.

Also read: Allu Arjun walks out after spending night in jail following dramatic day of arrest, remand, bail

Following the death of the woman, the city police registered a case against Allu Arjun, his security team, and the theatre management under different sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the Chikkadpally police station based on the complaint lodged by the deceased woman's family.

Allu Arjun was arrested by the city police in connection with the death of the woman on December 13. The Telangana High Court granted him a four-week interim bail on the same day and he was released from a prison here on December 14 morning.

(With inputs from agencies)