Uttam Nagar Holi clash: seven held, including a minor, after 26-year-old’s death

Delhi Police arrested seven people, including a minor, after a 26-year-old man died in a Holi-related clash between neighbouring families in Uttam Nagar, southwest Delhi. Police also added provisions of the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act to the FIR. The incident led to protests, vehicle damage, and heavy security deployment.

Delhi Police said seven people, including a minor, were held over the death of 26-year-old Tarun. The death followed a Holi-night clash between two neighbouring families in Uttam Nagar. Police said the families had a long-running dispute. Sections under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act were added to the FIR on Saturday.

The violence began late on March 4 and quickly raised tensions in the area. Police said an angry crowd later damaged several vehicles and set some on fire. Protests over the next two days led to heavy deployment of police and paramilitary personnel. Officials said the situation remained under watch due to the unrest.

Uttam Nagar clash: Police trace dispute to long-standing rivalry

Deputy Commissioner of Police Dwarka Kushal Pal Singh said a call reached Uttam Nagar Police Station at about 11.09 pm. The call reported a quarrel in JJ colony between neighbours from different communities. Singh said the two families had known each other for nearly five decades. Past arguments involved parking and garbage disposal.

Police said both families were originally from Rajasthan and later moved within Delhi. Singh said they earlier lived in the Rajendra Nagar slum. Singh added they shifted to JJ colony after 2004. Investigators said the latest fight started during Holi celebrations. The event took place in southwest Delhi’s Uttam Nagar area.

Uttam Nagar clash: Water balloon incident led to fight, injuries reported

An initial inquiry found the dispute began after a girl threw a water balloon by mistake. Police said the balloon hit a woman from the other family. Soon after, both sides started fighting, police said. Eight people were injured in the clash. Police said three were hurt from one side and five from the other.

Most of the injured people were released from hospital the same day, police said. Tarun, 26, was taken to hospital with serious injuries. An FIR was first filed under sections 110 and 35 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Police arrested four people and apprehended one minor during early action.

Uttam Nagar clash: Murder charge added after Tarun died, accused named

Police said Tarun died during treatment on March 5. After the death, the murder section was added to the case, Singh said. Police later arrested two more accused, taking the total held to seven. The group included six adults and a minor, police said. Investigators continued questioning the accused.

Police identified the accused as Umardeen, 49, and Jummadeen and Kamruddin, both 36. Police said the other three adults were Mustaque, Muzzafar, and Tahir, aged 46, 25, and 18. Police also held a juvenile in the case. Officials said they were checking the role of each person involved.

Uttam Nagar clash: Protests and arson followed, police used mild force

Tensions rose again on Friday when a car and a motorcycle were set on fire, police said. A protest by Hindu political outfits blocked traffic for several hours. The protesters demanded justice for Tarun, police said. Police sources said members of the Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad gathered under Uttam Nagar East Metro Station.

Police sources said the group blocked the main road and shouted slogans. Police said repeated appeals did not clear the road. Officers then used mild force to disperse the crowd, police said. Police warned action against anti-social elements trying to give the incident a different colour. Officials said they would act against attempts to disrupt law and order.

With inputs from PTI