Murder in Delhi’s Uttam Nagar: Kin seek CBI probe, claims 20 people involved; cops arrest 6

NEW DELHI: Days after 26-year-old Tarun Butolia was lynched in southwest Delhi’s Uttam Nagar allegedly over a dispute during the Holi celebrations, his father demanded a CBI probe on Saturday, alleging that the family was not informed about the progress of the investigation.

Memraj told the media, “Police told us that five or six people have been arrested. We asked them to show us who had been caught, but they did not do so. I demand a CBI inquiry.”




Delhi Police said six people were arrested. They were identified as Umardeen (49), Jummadeen (36), Mustaque (46), Kamruddin (36), Muzzafar (25) and Tahir (18). “Three of them, Umardeen, Kamruddin and Jummadeen, are brothers, while the others are relatives who live close to each other in Uttam Nagar,” an officer said, adding that they work as wall painters. Memraj works as a white wash painter.

Police said the victim’s family had given a list of 15-20 people and the names were being verified. Charges under SC/ST Act has been added to the murder FIR, they said.

Tarun’s uncle, Tek Chand, claimed that after the family sought a Central Bureau of Investigation probe, police started providing regular updates on the investigation.

Tarun’s elder brother, Arun Kumar, alleged that the dispute began after a child accidentally dropped a water balloon on a woman. “The woman created an issue out of it. They used the incident as a pretext to start a confrontation,” he claimed. Police said they were looking for the woman.

Kumar said, “Police said arrests have been made, but we have not been shown any evidence. At least 20-25 people were involved in the clash.”

The area remained tense on Saturday, too, with two additional companies of RAF deployed. The house of the main accused was vandalised by locals.

A senior officer, however, said the house was notset on fire, but some vehicles linked to the accused were burnt. “Nearly 200 police personnel were deployed after the incident, and now additional companies have been brought in,” another officer said.

Chief minister Rekha Gupta posted on X, “This incident of the brutal murder of an innocent youth in Uttam Nagar... is extremely painful, condemnable and shocking to the entire society. Delhi has a zero-tolerance policy for such heinous criminal and violent acts... The administration has been given clear and strict instructions to immediately arrest all those involved in this crime.”

Emphasising that govt stands with the victim’s family, she added, “I will take action to ensure the family receives all possible assistance and justice.”

Minister Ravinder Indraj Singh and MP Kamaljeet Sehrawat visited the family on Saturday. “Those who have tainted a festival of brotherhood like Holi with violence will not be spared,” Singh said.Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Women's day wishes, messages and quotes !