(Image source from: ANI)

Actor Allu Arjun, who was accused after a 35-year-old woman died during a crowd rush at a Hyderabad theatre during the premiere of 'Pushpa 2: The Rule' last month, was granted regular bail by a local court on Friday. The actor was arrested on December 13 but was released a day later after he received temporary bail from the Telangana High Court for four weeks, which would end on January 10. On Friday, the Nampally court in Hyderabad granted regular bail to Mr Arjun and asked him to provide two sureties of Rs 50,000 each. The judge also told him to appear before the investigating officer on Sunday, according to his lawyer Ashok Reddy. The woman died and her nine-year-old son was hospitalized due to lack of oxygen after a large crowd pushed and shoved to get a glimpse of Mr Arjun when he arrived with music director Devi Sri Prasad on the evening of December 4. The Police Commissioner C V Anand said the boy was suspected to have suffered brain damage due to oxygen deprivation.

The Chief Minister strongly criticized the actor for allegedly visiting the theatre without police permission and conducting a "roadshow" before and after his exit. The actor said the "allegations against him are humiliating" and that he felt his "character was being assassinated". He clarified that permission was sought from the theatre management and the police cleared the way for him to enter. The actor stated he is a law-abiding citizen and would have left if told there was no permission. The Chief Minister, in a meeting with the Telugu film industry's biggest names, including the actor's father and the Chair of the state's Film Development Corporation, asserted that there will be no compromise in ensuring law and order.

Celebrities have a duty, just like the police, to manage and control crowds. When famous people appear in public, they need to collaborate with law enforcement to uphold law and order. Mr. Arjun previously offered the victim's family Rs 25 lakh, and the film's director offered Rs 5 lakh as compensation. The actor's father later announced an additional Rs 2 crore. The boy's father said he was willing to drop the case against the actor.