Hyderabad:
Telugu actor Allu Arjun was questioned by Hyderabad Police Tuesday after a stampede at a metropolis theatre this month killed a 35-year-old girl and left her eight-year-old with life-threatening accidents.
Mr Arjun, 41, had been summoned by the cops Monday to affix the investigation.
Among the many questions thrown at him by the police have been:
- Do you know police permission had been denied so that you can come to the premiere?
- Who took the decision to proceed with the plan (for the actor to attend the particular screening) regardless of denial of police permission?
- Did any police officer inform you in regards to the stampede outdoors?
- When do you know in regards to the dying of the girl?
The questions are in keeping with what sources advised NDTV would be the focus of the investigation – a. did Mr Arjun have permission to look on the theatre, and b. did he have permission to work together with followers outdoors the theatre, which is in a metropolis neighbourhood house to different cinema halls?
Allu Arjun had been arrested by the police on December 13, 9 days after the stampede at Hyderabad’s Sandhya Theatre. Hours later he was despatched to judicial custody for 14 days.
READ | “Just Because He’s An Actor…”: Court Grants Interim Bail To Allu Arjun
Nevertheless, hours after that, in a dramatic twist, Mr Arjun was launched on interim bail by the Telangana Excessive Court docket, which cited his basic proper to liberty and flagged potential police overreach. “Simply because he’s an actor… he can’t be held like this,” the courtroom mentioned.
The police have claimed Allu Arjun’s unannounced arrival on the theatre – for a particular screening of his new movie – prompted the stampede as massive numbers of his followers jostled and shoved one another apart for a glimpse of the actor. The younger girl died within the melee that adopted.
The girl, whom police have recognized as Revathi, and her son have been pulled out from below the group by the cops, who carried out emergency first help and rushed them to hospital.
The police declare Mr Arjun arrived at 9.30 pm. As information of his arrival – he used the principle entrance and spent 15-20 minutes outdoors – unfold, lots of gathered. His safety crew – and bouncers on the theatre – began pushing the group again and that aggravated the state of affairs.
In response to the timeline being constructed by the cops, Allu Arjun had, by this time, disappeared into the theatre – after holding what the police mentioned was an impromptu roadshow regardless of warnings.
The cops also said the bouncers were “behaving recklessly”.
“Regardless of the presence of the general public and police, they pushed everybody apart. Their sole focus was on the VIP (Mr Arjun),” Hyderabad Police Commissioner CV Anand advised reporters final week.
READ | In Stampede Row, CCTV Shows Cops Escorting Allu Arjun From Theatre
Mr Arjun has denied holding any roadshow. “I simply waved to folks and went inside. No cop requested me to go away… my supervisor advised me there’s a crowd and requested me to go away,” he mentioned.
The actor, via his workplace, has additionally countered the police’s declare they weren’t knowledgeable about his arrival. A letter was made public shortly after his arrest; it was dated 48 hours previous to the screening and requested for safety to be made for a go to by Mr Arjun and his co-stars.
READ | After Allu Arjun’s Arrest, Letter Contradicts Cops’ “No Info” Claim
The police, although, have mentioned no particulars have been offered and that neither Mr Arjun’s safety crew nor theatre administration made the request in particular person, as is the protocol in such circumstances.
The actor and his safety crew, and the theatre proprietor, normal and safety managers have been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder. The theatre proprietor and workers have been amongst six arrested after Mr Arjun; all six have since obtained bail.
Mr Arjun has been defended by his fellow actors, who say he can’t be held accountable for the actions of others. He too has dismissed allegations he was accountable for the tragic dying.
Talking at a press convention Saturday, he described the incident as “very unlucky” and criticised what he known as “misinformation” and “character assassination” in opposition to him.
READ | “Misinformation, Character Assassination”: Actor Allu Arjun On Stampede Row
Public sentiment, although, has been divided; on Sunday there was a protest outdoors his house.
A mob barged in and vandalised components of the compound; they broke flower pots and threw tomatoes on the constructing. The protesters, reportedly college college students, additionally shouted slogans until they have been ejected.
The girl’s husband spoke to NDTV Monday and mentioned he doesn’t blame the actor for the stampede, and is able to withdraw the police case in opposition to him. He claimed to have obtained the “full help” of Mr Arjun. The actor introduced Rs 25 lakh for the household, whereas the producers of his movie, ‘Pushpa 2: The Rise’, have introduced Rs 50 lakh extra.