The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Wednesday issued a showcause notice to Telangana Chief Secretary Ramakrishna Rao asking why it should not recommend a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of Revathi, a woman who died in a stampede during the promotional screening of Pushpa 2 on December 4, 2024. The commission held that there was “negligence and lapse in maintaining public order” by the police.
The action follows a complaint filed by advocate Rama Rao Immaneni before the NHRC regarding the death of Revathi and injuries to her two children after an alleged lathicharge and stampede at the Sandhya 70mm theatre, Chikkadpally, Hyderabad, when actor Allu Arjun arrived for a promotional screening of the film starring him.
The initial report submitted to the NHRC by the additional commissioner of police (law & order), Hyderabad City, on March 20, 2025, stated that permission for the event was rejected and that allegations of a lathicharge were false. The report claimed that police, despite the lack of permission, made crowd control arrangements and that the officers on duty “exhibited exceptional proactive response” in managing the crowd and shifting the injured.
However, the NHRC, after reviewing the matter, questioned why the police allowed the crowd, Allu Arjun, and the theatre management to gather for an event that lacked permission. The NHRC’s proceedings dated May 2, 2025, expressed concern that the police did not take legal action against the actor and management “at the very first occurrence, prior to the incident itself, for breaking the law and attending the unlawful events”.
‘Theatre informed of permission denial’
In compliance with the NHRC’s subsequent direction, the additional commissioner of police submitted an additional report on July 14, 2025. This report confirmed that while permission for pre-release screenings was granted to four theatres, the police had specifically denied permission for the actor’s visit to Sandhya 70mm due to public safety and crowd control concerns. The theatre management was informed in writing of this permission denial.The police report further stated that “despite prior security arrangements by the Chikkadpally PS, an unexpected crowd surge occurred. Officers managed the situation promptly, though legal action at the time was not feasible.” It was also reported that on December 5, 2024, a case under sections 105, 118(1) r/w 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita was registered against the theatre management, Allu Arjun, and his security staff, leading to the arrest of 10 people, including the actor. The charges are related to culpable homicide not amounting to murder and voluntarily causing hurt.
Upon considering this new information, the NHRC noted that “there was negligence and lapse in maintaining the public order on the part of police authorities in providing adequate assistance and ensuring the safety when it was clear that there will be a huge crowd gathering”.
The NHRC also directed the commissioner of police (law & order), Hyderabad, to ensure a fair investigation and submit a status report on the case within six weeks. The matter has been adjourned for six weeks.
