Alok Singh
Allu Arjun was arrested on December 13, 2024 (Friday) and remanded to 14-days Judicial Custody by a local Court regarding a woman’s death after a stampede happened during the screening of the highly anticipated film ’Pushpa 2’ on December 4.
He was released from Hyderabad’s Chanchalguda Central Jail on the morning of December 14, , after being granted interim bail for four weeks by the Telangana High Court.
Single-judge Bench Justice Juvvadi Sridevi held that Arjun could not prima facie be held responsible for the incident since he had gone to the movie premiere after seeking permission. She also rejected the State’s contention that Allu knew such an incident could happen if he went to the screening.
“Is he responsible for the tragedy that happened? What knowledge he is having? He has taken permission,” the Court remarked.
The FIR, filed under Sections 105, 118(1) read with 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNS), alleged criminal negligence on Arjun’s part due to his attendance at the event. Per the petitioner’s counsel, the theatre management and insufficient police arrangements were to blame, citing a lack of mens rea on the actor’s part.
Drawing on the Supreme Court’s ruling in Arnab Manorabjan Goswami v. State of Maharastra , the Court emphasised the importance of protecting personal liberty and determined sufficient preliminary grounds to grant interim bail.
Allu was released upon providing a personal bond of ₹50,000, with conditions requiring his cooperation in the investigation and abstaining from influencing witnesses.
Case Name : Allu Arjun v. State of Telangana
Case Number: CRL.P.No.15270 of 2024
Bench: Justice Juvvadi Sridevi