Row Over Congress Link To Allu Arjun House Attack, All 6 Protesters Held Get Bail

Last Updated:December 23, 2024, 11:20 IST

Protesters vandalised flower pots at actor Allu Arjun’s Hyderabad residence, demanding compensation for a woman’s death during Pushpa 2 screening stampede. Six people were arrested and released on bail.

At least six people were arrested on charges of vandalising flower pots and other items at the residence of top Telugu actor Allu Arjun in Hyderabad on Sunday, demanding justice for the woman who died in ‘Pushpa-2’ screening stampede. The arrested were, however, granted bail on Monday, news agency ANI reported.

Speaking to the reporters, advocate Ramdas, for the accused, said, “The students of Osmania Univesity were demonstrating peacefully. When the police force attacked them they acted in their self-defence. Police filed a case against them. After their appearance before the judge today, the six people have been given bail without any conditions and a fine.”

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleged the incident was a “state-sponsored terrorism”, and that Allu Arjun was targeted because he refused to campaign for the Congress party.

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy also condemned the incident and directed the state Director General of Police and the city police commissioner to be tough in maintaining law and order.

WHAT HAPPENED AT ALLU ARJUN’s HOUSE?

According to the police, a group of people claiming to be members of the Osmania University Joint Action Committee on Sunday attacked Allu Arjun’s residence. One of the protesters mounted the compound wall at the actor’s house and started throwing tomatoes.

When the security staff objected and persuaded them to get down from the wall, the protesters manhandled the security staff and damaged some flower pots, a release by the police read.

The protesters raised slogans and spoke to the media waiting at the gate, it stated.

The Jubilee Hills Police reached the spot soon after they were informed about the incident and arrested six people. A case was registered against the arrested six and a few others involved in the vandalism.

The police also said that any lawless behaviour will not be tolerated.

The protesters, who raised slogans against Allu Arjun, demanded Rs 1 crore in financial assistance to the deceased woman’s family.

A placard left by them read that crores of rupees are made by making films, while those watching films are dying.

According to police sources, Allu Arjun was not at home when the incident happened.

Meanwhile, security at the actor’s house was tightened.

A police release from the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) of Central Zone said a report is being forwarded to the DGP against a suspended police officer Vishnu Murthy for initiating disciplinary action.

The DGP’s office will investigate this matter and take necessary action, it said.

ALLU ARJUN’s FATHER CONDEMNS ATTACK

Commenting on the incident, Allu Arjun’s father and veteran producer Allu Aravind said he would let the law take its course.

“You have seen what happened outside our house. But this is the time for us to observe restraint. We should not react to all this at present. Police came and took them away. They later filed a case. Police are ready to take away if anyone comes here to cause any trouble,” the actor’s father said.

“No one should encourage such types of incidents. We will not react to this. This is the time for us to observe restraint. Law will take its own course,” he told reporters.

BJP ATTACKS CONGRESS

In the wake of the attacks, BJP’s IT cell chief Amit Malviya, in an X post, wrote that the Congress is targeting Allu Arjun because he refused to campaign for them.

“Stone pelted on National Award winning actor Allu Arjun’s house. This is state sponsored terrorism,” Malviya shared a video of the attack and wrote in an X post.

“The Congress is targeting Allu Arjun because he refused to campaign for them. He was earlier arrested in haste for a crime he didn’t commit,” he added.

BJP’s Telangana state president also condemned the incident, and said, “The incident of stone pelting at actor Allu Arjun’s residence in Hyderabad highlights the shocking failure of law and order under the Congress government in the state.”

“Incidents reflect the administration’s inability to protect & ensure the safety and security of citizens. Targeting of artists and cine industry has become a dangerous norm under the Congress Govt in Telangana. Is this Congress supported / sponsored ?” (sic), he wrote in an X post.

The incident of stone pelting at actor Allu Arjun’s residence in Hyderabad highlights the shocking failure of law and order under the Congress government in the state. Incidents reflect the administration’s inability to protect & ensure the safety and security of citizens.… pic.twitter.com/xhRMmNs1mj— G Kishan Reddy (@kishanreddybjp) December 22, 2024

ALLU ARJUN DID NOT LEAVE THEATRE DESPITE BEING TOLD ABOUT WOMAN’s DEATH

On Sunday, police officials said Allu Arjun did not leave the theatre during the screening of ‘Pushpa-2’ on December 4 despite being told to do so in view of a stampede in which a woman died.

Speaking at a press conference on the annual round-up of 2024, city police commissioner CV Anand showed a video, made by police, on the situation that prevailed when the stampede occurred.

The video was made by collating footage, including from news channels and cell phone clips. It suggests the actor remained in the theatre until midnight.

Anand did not make any comment on the video but said the media can draw its own conclusions.

A police official talked about the sequence of events on the fateful night of December 4.

He said that he and other police officials informed a manager of Allu Arjun about the death of the woman and told him that the situation was out of control. He indicated that they were not allowed to meet the actor.

Allu Arjun’s staff members told them that they would convey the matter to the actor but did not do so, he said.

The official said he later managed to reach the actor, told him about the woman’s death and asked him to leave the theatre so that the fans wouldn’t harm each other while trying to catch a glimpse of him.

The official also told the actor that security arrangements would be made for his exit.

However, the actor said he would go only after watching the film, the police official said.

Later, accompanied by a senior officer, the official went inside and brought the actor out, he said.