Stampede during Pushpa 2 screening reinforces need for celebrity accountability
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. Even as Pushpa 2: The Rule cements its position as one of the biggest hits of all time in India, lead actor Allu Arjun has been embroiled in a massive controversy over a stampede during the screening of the Telugu film at Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad where he was present, that led to the death of a woman and left her minor son critically injured.
Legal experts say that the legal framework in the country allows for the arrest and prosecution of individuals, including celebrities, when their actions or negligence lead to public harm or fatalities, and are intended to hold individuals accountable. In the past, Shah Rukh Khan too has faced legal action for a stampede that resulted in a person's death at a railway station in Gujarat while he was travelling to promote his movie Raees in 2017.
“These provisions are designed to hold individuals accountable when their actions, whether intentional or due to negligence, result in harm to others. In the context of celebrity events, organizers and participants are expected to take necessary precautions to ensure public safety.
Failure to do so can lead to legal consequences, as seen in Allu Arjun's case," Gaurav Sahay, practice head - technology and general corporate at law firm Fox Mandal & Associates LLP said. It's important to note that while celebrities have certain rights, such as personality rights and the right to privacy, these do not exempt them from legal responsibilities, especially when public safety is at risk, Sahay added.
The Indian legal system does not provide specific exemptions for celebrities in such matters, ensuring that all individuals are subject to the same legal standards. To be sure, Allu Arjun was subsequently arrested
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