Gym reels, 100-kg deadlifts and dreams of success: Who was Uttam Nagar clash victim Tarun Butolia

NEW DELHI: Visual after visual on his social media pages showed Tarun Butolia's dedication towards fitness and combat sports. Over eight years, the 26-year-old transformed his body, taking pride in his progress and posting high-energy edits on Instagram, deadlifting nearly 100 kg and executing chest presses. His social media posts trace his journey from a scrawny teenager to a well-built man.

Days after he was beaten to death near his home in Uttam Nagar, allegedly by neighbours over a disagreement on Holi, his family and friends remembered his dedication and confidence. The police have arrested 14 people in the case.






Forced to discontinue his Bachelors in Computer Application course in the second year at a college in Bahadurgarh during the Covid pandemic, Butolia took up part-time work to save money.

His uncle, Tek Chand said the disruption forced him to rethink his plans and he enrolled in a digital marketing course. "He wanted to start a business," Tek Chand said. Another relative, Vinod Kumar, recalled that Tarun had once shared his plans of establishing a digital marketing venture within the next two years. "The last thing I remember him telling me was ‘kuch bada karunga' (I will do something big). He was full of life and spoke with confidence about his plans," he said.

Family members also said Butolia was deeply spiritual. They said he frequently travelled to Kedarnath, Rishikesh, Ayodhya and Varanasi, often spending time at Assi Ghat. He also visited the Hanuman Temple in Connaught Place every Tuesday. According to relatives, he had been planning another trip to Uttarakhand soon.

On Tuesday, local residents and some religious leaders gathered in Uttam Nagar to hold a protest demanding justice for Butolia and calling for strict action against the accused.

On Monday, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) office bearers held a meeting with Butolia's family and other residents. VHP Delhi Prant Mantri, Surender Gupta, said after the meeting that the financial condition of the family was discussed and it was decided that the local community would provide financial assistance as well as other forms of aid to help the family cope. Gupta also said the importance of effective legal guidance and support was discussed.

VHP functionary Vinod Bansal, who also met Butolia's family members, said the murder was horrifying. "This brutal killing in the nation's capital is deeply shocking, completely condemnable, and a matter of grave concern for the entire community," he said.