Not Allu Arjun's fault, ready to withdraw complaint, says stampede victim's husband

Hyderabad: Hours after the police arrested Telugu actor Allu Arjun on Friday over the death of a woman in a stampede during the premeier of Pushpa 2: The Rule, the husband of the victim came forward defending the actor. Bhaskar, the woman's husband also expressed willingness to withdraw his complaint over his wife's death. He said that he doesn't hold the film's male lead Allu Arjun "responsible for the tragedy".

"Allu Arjun is not at fault for coming to the theatre. I am ready to withdraw my case," he told reporters.

Bhaskar added that he was not informed by the police about Arjun's arrest and learned about it only from the news. His eight-year-old son, who suffered serious injuries in the incident, has been undergoing treatment at a private super-speciality hospital here.

The city police arrested Allu Arjun on Friday in connection with the woman's death. However, the Telangana High Court granted him a four-week interim bail.

Bhaskar's 35-year-old died on December 4 night when a large number of fans thronged the Sandhya theatre here to have a glimpse of the actor during the premiere of his new movie.

The city police have registered a case against Allu Arjun, his security team, and the theatre management under sections 105 and 118(1) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the Chikkadpally police station based on the complaint lodged by the deceased woman's family.

Last week, the 'Pushpa' actor announced Rs 25 lakh to the family of the deceased and also assured the grieving family that they are not alone in this painful situation and he will meet the family personally.