Hyderabad Stampede Case: Police Hold Sandhya Theatre Management Responsible, Actor Allu Arjun Named in Chargesheet
The Hyderabad Police have squarely blamed the management of Sandhya Theatre for the deadly stampede that occurred on December 4, 2024, alleging gross negligence, failure to control overcrowding, and the absence of mandatory police coordination during a high-risk public event involving a major film star.
In a chargesheet filed by the Hyderabad Police at the Chikkadpally Police Station, investigators named 23 individuals in connection with the incident.
Among those listed are Telugu film star Allu Arjun, members of the Sandhya Theatre management, and the actor’s personal security team.
The stampede claimed the life of a woman, M Revathi, and left her young son critically injured.
Serious Lapses by Theatre Management Alleged
According to the police investigation, the Sandhya Theatre management bore primary responsibility for the tragedy.
The chargesheet alleges that despite clear signs of overcrowding, the theatre continued to allow more people inside the premises.
Police further stated that the management neither informed authorities about Allu Arjun’s planned arrival nor sought police deployment, even though the actor’s presence predictably attracted a massive crowd.
The investigation also noted the absence of crowd-control protocols and inadequate internal security arrangements, factors that allegedly led to panic and the fatal crush in the lower balcony area.
Arrests and Legal Action
Following the incident, police arrested three key members of the theatre’s management on December 9:
- M Sandeep, partner of Sandhya Theatre
- M Nagaraju, theatre manager
- G Vijay Chander, in charge of the lower balcony where the stampede occurred
The chargesheet also names eight bouncers, three managers, and four eyewitnesses as part of the probe.
An FIR was registered under Sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 118(1) (voluntarily causing hurt), read with Section 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), against Allu Arjun, the theatre management, and the actor’s personal security staff.
Actor’s Arrest and Bail
Allu Arjun was arrested on December 13, triggering widespread public attention and political debate.
Though the Telangana High Court granted him interim bail the same day, the actor spent the night at Chanchalguda Prison.
On January 3, he was granted regular bail by the IX Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate at the Nampally Court Complex.
Political Fallout and CCTV Footage
The case took a political turn after Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy accused Allu Arjun of continuing a roadshow even after being informed about the stampede.
The allegation intensified scrutiny of the actor’s conduct during the critical moments following the tragedy.
Subsequently, Hyderabad Police released CCTV footage from inside Sandhya Theatre, which they claim shows the actor being reluctant to leave the venue despite being alerted about the fatal incident.
Police have cited this footage as part of their evidence to establish a delayed response and poor crisis handling.
A Tragedy Rooted in Crowd Mismanagement
The stampede has once again raised serious questions about crowd safety, event planning, and accountability at high-profile public gatherings.
Investigators maintain that better coordination with police, controlled entry, and timely decision-making could have prevented the loss of life.
As the case moves forward in court, the incident stands as a stark reminder of how lapses in crowd management—especially during celebrity events—can quickly escalate into fatal disasters.
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