Hyderabad: A tragic incident at the premiere of Allu Arjun’s much-anticipated film Pushpa 2 left a nine-year-old boy, Sri Tej, declared brain dead following a stampede at Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad. The stampede occurred on December 4 as massive crowds gathered to catch a glimpse of the Telugu superstar. The boy’s mother, Revathi, lost her life during the chaos, leaving the family devastated.
Hyderabad City Police Commissioner CV Anand and Telangana Government Health Secretary Dr. Christina visited Sri Tej at KIMS Hospital, where he remains on ventilator support. Officials confirmed that the boy suffered brain death due to oxygen deprivation during the stampede. A medical bulletin indicated stable vital signs, with plans for a tracheostomy to aid ventilation, though his neurological status remains unchanged.
The Hyderabad police have issued a show-cause notice to Sandhya Theatre, citing 11 critical failings, including inadequate crowd management, insufficient security, and the absence of proper entry and exit arrangements. The notice also highlighted the illegal installation of large promotional banners, which contributed to the chaos. The theatre has been given 10 days to respond, failing which its Cinematograph Licence could be revoked.
Following the tragedy, a case was registered against Allu Arjun, his security team, and the theatre management under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Allu Arjun was briefly arrested on December 13 but was granted interim bail by the Telangana High Court the following day. Three theatre staff members, including the owner, were also arrested in connection with the incident.
This unfortunate event underscores the importance of stringent safety protocols at public venues, particularly during high-profile events.
