Actor Allu Arjun appeared via video conferencing in a Hyderabad court on the latest hearing date in the case linked to the stampede outside Sandhya Theatre during the premiere of his film 'Pushpa 2: The Rule' in December 2024.
The stampede, which broke out amid overcrowding as fans gathered for the actor's appearance at the theatre, resulted in the death of a woman and left her son critically injured. The incident led to a police investigation into the event's crowd management and the safety arrangements made by the theatre and event organisers.
Police have since filed chargesheets against 23 people in connection with the case, covering theatre management, event staff, and others alleged to have been responsible for lapses that contributed to the crush. Allu Arjun was questioned during the investigation and briefly held before being granted bail in the months following the incident.
At the latest hearing, the actor's appearance was conducted through video conferencing rather than in person, a method increasingly used in proceedings involving public figures to avoid the security and logistical complications of a physical court appearance. The court has adjourned the matter to July 6 for further proceedings.
The case has remained under close watch given its connection to one of the most prominent Telugu film releases in recent years and the scrutiny it drew over crowd safety at high-profile public events. Authorities have said the chargesheets and ongoing hearings are aimed at establishing accountability for the lapses that led to the fatal crush.
