IRCTC said that their Information Technology (IT) team is working to resolve the issue at the earliest.

There will be no compromise in ensuring law and order – Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s firm message to Telugu movie actors, director, and producers Thursday in a big meeting amid strained ties between the state and the film fraternity over the ‘Pushpa 2′ stampede row – in which a 35-year-old woman was killed and her son, 8, injured – and the arrest of actor Allu Arjun.

And, in a significant remark, the Chief Minister said crowd-control is as much the responsibility of celebrities as it is that of the police, and that actors, when appearing in public – as Allu Arjun did on December 4 at the city’s Sandhya Theatre – had to work with the cops to maintain the peace.

Further, Mr Reddy also banned, for now, benefit shows or special screenings of movies and warned private security personnel, such as those employed by high-profile actors like Mr Arjun. That warning followed a claim by Hyderabad Police that bouncers working for the actor had behaved “recklessly” during the stampede, and that their aggressive actions had aggravated the incident.

The meeting today was attended by a number of the Telugu film industry’s biggest names, including Allu Arjun’s father Allu Arvind, and Dil Raju, the Chair of the state’s Film Development Corporation.

All of this follows the death of a young woman, Revathi, at the stampede at Sandhya Theatre, and the serious injury to her young son, Sri Tej, who this week was taken of an assisted breathing device.

On Wednesday, Allu Arvind told reporters a sum of Rs 2 crore would be given to the woman’s husband as a measure of compensation for his wife’s death and for the future of his son.

READ | Allu Arjun’s Father Says 2 Crore For Boy Injured In ‘Pushpa 2‘ Stampede

The police believe the stampede was triggered by Allu Arjun making an unannounced appearance at the theatre. As news of his arrival spread, a mob of adoring fans jostled, pushed, and shoved each other for a glimpse of the star, and the woman died in that confusion.

However, Allu Arjun’s team contested that claim; last week they released a copy of a letter they said had been sent to the police on December 2, 48 hours before Mr Arjun’s arrival at the theatre, in which they mentioned the actor, other cast members, and the director would be present.

READ | After Allu Arjun’s Arrest, Letter Contradicts Cops’ “No Info” Claim

The police, though, dismissed the letter, saying that it, in itself, was not enough, and had to be backed by the actor’s team and the theatre management meeting the cops to provide details.

The police alleged Mr Arjun arrived at the theatre at 9.30 pm and held an impromptu roadshow – waving to fans from the sunroof of his car – as he did so, and that this was against their advice.

READ | In Stampede Row, CCTV Shows Cops Escorting Allu Arjun From Theatre

He then reportedly spent 15-20 minutes outside the theatre, during which time the crowd swelled, before disappearing inside. The stampede broke out shortly thereafter and was aggravated, the police have alleged, by the ‘reckless’ actions of Mr Arjun’s security team and the theatre’s bouncers.

Allu Arjun, however, has firmly denied any responsibility for the stampede, pointing out he has no control over the actions of others and that the police had been informed of his movements.

READ | “Misinformation, Character Assassination”: Actor Allu Arjun On Stampede Row

“I just waved to people and went inside. No cop asked me to leave… my manager told me there is a crowd and asked me to leave,” he said, describing the incident as “very unfortunate” and criticising what he called “misinformation” and “character assassination” against him.

India’s talismanic cricketer Virat Kohli finds himself in the spotlight over an avoidable clash with Australian teenager Sam Konstas. As the Aussie debutant took Indian bowlers, including Jasprit Bumrah to cleaners on Day 1 of the 4th Test at the MCG, Kohli looked to unnerve the batter by trying a few tricks in his bag. The India star seemed to have deliberately shoulder-pushed Konstas on Thursday, hoping to get under his nerves, but the act resulted in a huge altercation in the middle. Ex-cricketers like Ricky Ponting and Michael Vaughan even demanded an ICC sanction for Kohli over the incident. Considering the nature of the incident, it is also understood that the matter will be reviewed by ICC.

Sharing his opinion on the incident, Ponting suggested that the umpires and match referee are bound to look at the incident and act against Kohli’s attempt to instigate aggression.

“Virat walked one whole pitch over to his right and instigated that confrontation,” Ponting said on Channel Seven. “No doubt in my mind whatsoever.

“I have no doubt that the umpires and the referee will have a good look at that. Fielders should be nowhere near the batsman at that stage. Every fieldsman on the ground knows where the batsmen will congregate and get together.

Ponting also defended his countryman, suggesting that the 19-year-old looked up late and couldn’t do much to avoid the shoulder push by Kohli.

“It looked to me that Konstas looked up really late, and wouldn’t even know anyone was in front of him. That man on-screen there (Kohli) might have a few questions to answer,” Ponting said.

Kohli and Konstas come together and make contact #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/adb09clEqd

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 26, 2024

Even former England captain Michael Vaughan echoed Ponting’s sentiments, saying the match referee is expected to seriously look into the matter and act against Kohli.

“I have no doubt that the umpires and the referee will have a good look at that. Fielders should be nowhere near the batsman at that stage. Every fieldsman on the ground knows where the batsmen will congregate and get together.

“It looked to me that Konstas looked up really late, and wouldn’t even know anyone was in front of him. That man on-screen there (Kohli) might have a few questions to answer,” Ponting said.

“Yes, he would,” Vaughan said when asked whether the match referee, Andy Pycroft, would look into this matter.

It has been learned that the match referee will review the matter. But what does the rulebook say on this incident?

What ICC Rulebook Says On The Incident:

The incident comes under Law 2.12: Inappropriate physical contact with a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee, or any other person (including a spectator) during an International Match.

The rule further says: ” Note: Any form of inappropriate physical contact is prohibited in cricket. Without limitation, Players will breach this regulation if they deliberately, recklessly and/or negligently walk or run into or shoulder another Player or Umpire. When assessing the seriousness of the breach, the following factors (without limitation) shall be taken into account: (i) the context of the particular situation, including, without limitation, whether the contact was deliberate (i.e. intentional), reckless, negligent, and/or avoidable; (ii) the force of the contact; (iii) any resulting injury to the person with whom contact was made; and (iv) the person with whom contact was made. Level 1 (Level 1 is available only in the case of contact with Players, Player Support …”

The final decision on the matter will be taken by the ICC match referee Andy Pycroft. If Pycroft feels it was a Level 2 offence, Kohli could be handed 3-4 demerit points. Such a case could see Kohli being suspended from participating in the next match. If only a Level 1 offense is considered, Kohli could escape with just a fine.