Nampally Court Rejects Allu Arjun Plea, Orders Personal Appearance
The Nampally Court has directed actor Allu Arjun to appear in person in connection with the Sandhya Theatre stampede case, rejecting his request to attend the proceedings through video conferencing. The court made it clear that personal appearance is mandatory in the ongoing criminal case.
The latest update in the high-profile case has once again brought the spotlight back on the tragic incident that occurred during the release of Pushpa 2: The Rule.
Sandhya Theatre Stampede Case Reaches Key Stage
The matter relates to the stampede that took place during a special premiere show of Pushpa 2 at Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad in December 2024. Large crowds had gathered after reports emerged that Allu Arjun would attend the screening.
As per the incident details, the crowd surged near the theatre premises, leading to a stampede. A woman identified as Revathi lost her life in the incident, while her young son, Sri Tej, sustained serious injuries and underwent prolonged treatment.
The matter later led to a police investigation and criminal proceedings.
Allu Arjun's Virtual Hearing Request Rejected
According to court records, Allu Arjun had filed a petition seeking permission to participate in the hearing through video conferencing. The actor reportedly cited his shooting commitments in Mumbai for his upcoming film project.
However, the Nampally Criminal Court dismissed the plea and directed him to appear physically before the court on Monday.
The court's decision indicates that professional commitments cannot be treated as grounds for exemption in a case involving loss of life and ongoing criminal proceedings.
Chikkadpally Police Filed Chargesheet
Following the investigation, Chikkadpally police submitted a chargesheet before the court. A total of 23 individuals have been named as accused in the case.
The theatre management and its partners were listed as Accused Nos. 1 to 10, while Allu Arjun was named as Accused No. 11. The court has since issued summons to all accused persons named in the chargesheet.
Officials stated that the legal process will continue as per procedure.
Court Emphasises Legal Procedure
As per sources, the court considered the seriousness of the case while examining the plea. Legal procedures generally require accused persons to appear before the court when criminal proceedings formally commence, particularly in cases involving fatalities.
The official statement from the court effectively ruled out any special exemption at this stage of the proceedings.
The Sandhya Theatre stampede case remains under judicial scrutiny, and further hearings are expected in the coming days. With the court insisting on personal appearance, the latest update marks another significant development in the ongoing case registered following the Hyderabad theatre tragedy.