Hyderabad, India – Hyderabad’s Police Commissioner, CV Anand, issued a public apology on Monday following his controversial remarks about the national media during a press conference related to the Sandhya Theatre stampede investigation. Anand admitted that he “lost his cool” while responding to questions from reporters about the tragic incident and expressed regret over his comments.
In a post shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, the senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer acknowledged that his remarks were inappropriate and that he had been provoked by the persistent line of questioning regarding the incident.
“I apologise for losing my cool when asked continuous provoking questions on ongoing investigations and making unnecessary general remarks about national media,” Anand wrote. “I feel bad that I got provoked and it was wrong and should have kept calm. I withdraw my remarks wholeheartedly,” he added, expressing regret for his uncharacteristic outburst.
The incident occurred during a press briefing on Sunday when Anand was asked about the investigation into the deadly stampede at Sandhya Theatre, which took place on December 4. The tragedy claimed the life of a woman and left her eight-year-old son critically injured. CCTV footage of the incident, which showed the chaos leading up to the stampede, had been released by the police earlier, but the investigation was still ongoing when reporters pressed Anand for more details.
When questioned about the media’s coverage of the incident, Anand’s frustration became apparent. In his heated response, he made a controversial statement, accusing the national media of being “bought over,” which quickly drew criticism from journalists and media professionals across the country. The police commissioner’s remarks sparked a public backlash, with many calling for accountability over his tone and choice of words.
In response to the incident, police have already registered a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder against the owner of Sandhya Theatre, the popular actor Allu Arjun, and his team. The case stems from allegations of negligence in ensuring proper safety measures during a screening at the theater, which reportedly led to overcrowding and ultimately the stampede.
On December 13, Allu Arjun was arrested in connection with the case and was subsequently produced in court, where he was sent to 14-day judicial custody. However, he was granted bail on the same day, and legal proceedings are ongoing.
The tragic event and subsequent developments have raised serious concerns about safety protocols in public spaces, particularly during large gatherings, and about the accountability of high-profile individuals like Allu Arjun in incidents involving public safety.
Hyderabad police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the stampede, and authorities have promised to take appropriate legal action against those found responsible. Meanwhile, the apology from Commissioner CV Anand has done little to quell the controversy, as calls for further clarification on the media’s role in the investigation persist.