Kumar Bahukhandi
Sandhya theatre (File Photo)
Hyderabad: Hyderabad police issued a show cause notice to Sandhya 70 MM theatre asking as to why the Cinematograph License in Form-B granted should not be cancelled for all the lapses which led to the death of a woman during a stampede on December 4. The explanation to the show cause notice must be submitted in 10 days failing which it would be construed that the management has no explanation to offer and orders will be passed without further notice.
A cinematograph license dated January 18, 1979 was granted to run the cinema theatre as “Sandhya 70MM” at RTC X Roads, Hyderabad. However, it has come to the notice of the police that on December 4, 2024 at about 9.40 pm, a premiere show of movie “Pushpa 2” was held and a huge crowd was gathered to watch the movie as well as in the anticipation of getting a glimpse of lead actors of the movie.
However, there was no prior intimation from the management of the theatre or actor’s team that they will be visiting the theatre. The management of the theatre has not made any additional provisions regarding security to manage the crowd and there was no separate entry or exit for the actor’s team though the theatre management has prior information about their arrival. On December 4, at about 9.30 pm, actor Allu Arjun along with his family and lead actress of the movie came to Sandhya 70MM theatre with his personal security and all the people gathered there tried to enter the theatre with them. The personal security team of the actor started pushing the public which further aggravated the situation as there was already a huge gathering at the theatre.
Taking advantage of this situation, a large number of people along with the actor and his security team entered inside the lower balcony area of the theatre. There were no personnel to check whether the people entering inside the theatre had valid tickets or not. Therefore, a woman Mogudampalli Revathi, (35) wife of Bhaskar and resident of Shalivahana Nagar in Dilsukhnagar and her son Sri Tej, (9) felt suffocated due to large public influx and immediately the police personnel, who were on duty pulled them out of the public from the lower balcony and a Sub-Inspector of Police L. Mounika along with a constable Anjaneyulu performed CPR to both of them and immediately shifted them to the nearby Durgabai Deshmukh Hospital.
However, the doctor said Revathi was brought dead and her son Sri Tej was advised to be shifted to another hospital for better treatment. Immediately the boy was shifted to KIM’s Hospital, Secunderabad. Based on the incident and complaint of M. Bhaskar, a case under Section 105 and 118 (1) read with 3(5) BNS Act was registered at Chikkadpally police station.
After the incident, the police also found the following lapses on the management of Sandhya 70MM theatre:
Sandhya 70MM and Sandhya 35MM Theatres are located in the same premises and have the common main entry and exit. Both theatres have a combined seating capacity of about 2520 persons. There were no proper sign boards displaying entry and exit to guide the public who are coming to watch the movie.
The management also encouraged the gathering of fans by erecting large flexes outside the theatre illegally without prior permission. The infrastructure of the theatre was not satisfactory and the lower balcony entry grill gate was not manned property to withstand the public flow and got damaged due to overcrowding.
The theatre management failed to inform the local police about the arrival of Allu Arjun to the theatre. They also did not plan any entry and exit and seating plan for films with lead actors despite knowing that they will attract huge public attention.
The management also allowed the movie makers to install the truss and lighting at the theatre premises which çaused large gathering of the public. The management at the time of arrival of Allu Arjun allowed his private security also to enter inside the theatre along with him, which caused inconvenience to the public.
These security personnel blocked the free passage between the seats which was meant for movement of the public. There was only one door frame metal detector (DFMD) at the entry, no lady curtain for frisking women. Also it was not ensured that the incoming public passes through the DFMD
There was no proper system to check the tickets which allowed unauthorized entry and overcrowding inside the theatre which created suffocation inside the theatre. The management doesn’t have the proper parking for visitors. It has not arranged proper security for maintaining the crowd at the main gates that resulted in an untoward incident.
In view of the above, it was clearly visible that the management has failed to provide a safe and secure environment to the public who is coming to the theatre. Renuka Devi of Sandhya 70 MM theatre was asked to show cause, as to why the Cinematograph License should not be cancelled for all the lapses which lead to the death of a woman.
The explanation to the notice should be submitted within 10 days from the date of its receipt failing which it would be construed that the management has no explanation to offer and orders will be passed without further notice, according to police.
