Telangana High Court Grants Interim Bail to Actor Allu Arjun in Stampede Case, Citing Actor’s Right to Liberty
(Judicial Quest News Network)
In a significant legal development on December 13, 2024, the Telangana High Court granted interim bail to actor Allu Arjun for a period of four weeks, following his arrest in connection with a stampede that took place outside a cinema hall in Hyderabad. The incident, which occurred during the actor’s scheduled visit for a movie premiere, tragically resulted in the death of a woman.
Justice Sridevi, who heard the case, deliberated for over two hours before announcing the decision, expressing concerns about the actor’s treatment. “It bothers me—just because he is an actor, can he be held like this?” Justice Sridevi remarked. The judge further emphasized that Allu Arjun, like any individual, has the fundamental right to life and liberty, which cannot be taken away solely because of his celebrity status.
The case involves an incident at the Sandhya 70mm Theatre, where large crowds gathered for the premiere of a film. The stampede, which occurred as the crowd tried to get a glimpse of the actor, led to the tragic fatality. The court noted that a letter from the film’s production unit had been sent to the police, seeking permission for security measures during the event, which the police had acknowledged.
The actor’s defense, led by senior counsel S. Niranjan Reddy, argued that there was no intent to cause harm, and that the tragic incident was a result of negligence, not culpable homicide. Drawing parallels with other high-profile cases, including one involving Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, Reddy contended that the actor should not be criminally liable for the stampede, as he was not directly involved in inciting the crowd. The defense further asserted that Allu Arjun had taken necessary precautions and had informed the police about the visit.
The prosecution, however, countered by asserting that the actor was aware of the potential danger and should have taken more stringent precautions, especially given the massive turnout at the event. Despite the objections, the court granted interim bail, highlighting the absence of clear intent to harm.
The court also directed the actor to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation and refrain from interfering with witnesses or the legal process. Furthermore, the investigating officer was instructed to continue with the probe.
This case has drawn attention due to its high-profile nature, raising questions about the responsibilities of celebrities in managing large public gatherings. Allu Arjun’s legal team maintains that the case against him is based on negligence, not criminal intent, and the court’s decision to grant interim bail reflects the principle that no one, regardless of their public status, should be deprived of their liberty without clear justification.
The legal battle is set to continue as the court will hear further arguments on the matter, with the next hearing scheduled for January 2025.
