Allu Arjun skips Sandhya Theatre stampede court date, next hearing July 6
Synopsis
Allu Arjun was the only one of 23 accused to skip Monday's Sandhya Theatre stampede hearing, citing a Mumbai shoot — even as the court had specifically directed his personal appearance. With the trial yet to begin and the next date set for 6 July, the case that began with a woman's death at the 'Pushpa 2' premiere is inching toward a formal reckoning.
Key Takeaways
Allu Arjun did not appear before the Nampally Criminal Court on 22 June in the Sandhya Theatre stampede case .
The actor, currently in Mumbai for a shoot, sought exemption and offered to attend the next hearing virtually.
The court adjourned the matter to 6 July and asked the actor to file a formal memo.
All other accused among the 23 named appeared in person on Monday.
M Revathi died in the stampede on 4 December 2024 during the premiere of 'Pushpa 2: The Rule' ; her son was critically injured.
The trial is expected to begin only after all accused personally appear before the judge.
Tollywood star Allu Arjun did not appear before the Nampally Criminal Court in Hyderabad on Monday, 22 June in the Sandhya Theatre stampede case, citing an ongoing film shoot in Mumbai. Through his counsel, the actor requested an exemption from personal appearance and offered to attend the next hearing virtually.
What Happened in Court
The Nampally Criminal Court advised Allu Arjun to file a memo formalising his request and adjourned the matter to 6 July. His counsel confirmed the actor would join the proceedings through virtual mode at that hearing.
Notably, all other accused in the case appeared in person on Monday in response to summons issued the previous week. The court had also directed Allu Arjun to appear personally, making his absence the only exception among the 23 accused named in the case.
Background: The Sandhya Theatre Stampede
The case stems from a deadly stampede on 4 December 2024 during the premiere show of 'Pushpa 2: The Rule' at the Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad. M Revathi, who had attended the event with her husband and children, died in the crush. Her son sustained critical injuries.
The stampede was triggered when crowds surged upon Allu Arjun's arrival at the venue. Police subsequently booked the theatre management, the actor, and his team for culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
Allu Arjun's Position in the Case
Allu Arjun is listed as accused number 11 (A11) in the charge sheet. The first 10 accused are individuals from the theatre's management, while eight bouncers associated with the actor are also named.
He was arrested on 13 December 2024 and produced before the Nampally court, which remanded him to 14-day judicial custody. His legal team moved the High Court, which granted interim bail the same day; he was released the following day. The Nampally court subsequently granted him regular bail.
Investigation and Charge Sheet
As part of the investigation, police interrogated Allu Arjun on 24 December 2024 for approximately three hours at Chikkadpally Police Station, based on a 10-minute video compiled from CCTV footage of the incident. A charge sheet against all 23 accused was filed in December 2024.
What Happens Next
The trial is expected to commence only after all accused have personally appeared before the judge. With Allu Arjun's next date set for 6 July, the start of formal trial proceedings hinges on whether the court accepts his virtual appearance request or insists on his physical presence.
Point of View
And the optics of a high-profile accused attending a film shoot while a victim's family awaits trial will not be lost on either the bench or the public. The virtual appearance request, if accepted, sets a precedent that could slow proceedings further. The deeper issue is that nearly seven months after the charge sheet, the trial has not even formally begun — a reflection of how slowly the wheels turn in cases where celebrity and legal resources intersect.
NationPress
22 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Allu Arjun not appear in court on 22 June?
Allu Arjun was in Mumbai for a film shoot and sought an exemption from personal appearance through his counsel. The Nampally Criminal Court asked him to file a formal memo and adjourned the case to 6 July.
What is the Sandhya Theatre stampede case?
The case relates to a deadly stampede on 4 December 2024 during the premiere of 'Pushpa 2: The Rule' at Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad. A woman named M Revathi died and her son was critically injured when crowds surged upon Allu Arjun's arrival. Police booked the theatre management, the actor, and his team for culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
What is Allu Arjun's role in the case?
Allu Arjun is listed as accused number 11 (A11) among 23 accused. The first 10 accused are from the theatre's management and eight are bouncers associated with the actor. He was arrested on 13 December 2024 and later granted bail.
When will the trial in the stampede case begin?
The trial is expected to begin only after all 23 accused have personally appeared before the judge. The next hearing is scheduled for 6 July, when Allu Arjun's counsel has said the actor will join virtually.
What happened after Allu Arjun was arrested in December 2024?
Allu Arjun was arrested on 13 December 2024 and remanded to 14-day judicial custody by the Nampally court. The High Court granted him interim bail the same day, and he was released the following day. The Nampally court subsequently granted him regular bail.
