- By Chetna Shree
- Sun, 08 Mar 2026 05:55 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Uttam Nagar Holi Murder Case: A minor argument over a splash of water turned deadly in Uttam Nagar's Hasthsal village on March 4, leaving 26-year-old Tarun Kumar dead and the southwest Delhi neighbourhood on edge. Tarun, who had gone out to meet a friend, never returned as he was attacked outside his house with rods, hockey sticks, cricket bats, and a stone slab, leaving him to die on the road.
How Uttam Nagar's Holi Incident Unfolded?
The incident unfolded around 10:30 PM when a water balloon, with which Tarun’s 11-year-old cousin was playing, accidentally slipped from her hand and fell from the third floor of their house. The water splashed onto a woman living in the neighbourhood, triggering an argument between the two families, who belong to different communities.
The argument quickly escalated into a scuffle as family members from both sides gathered, pushing and shoving one another. According to the police, the confrontation soon turned violent, with members from both families attacking each other, leading to injuries on both sides.
Hours later, Tarun, who was parking his bike before entering home, was attacked with rods, hockey sticks, cricket bats, and a stone slab while parking his bike nearby, leaving him critically injured and eventually dead on the road.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Tarun's uncle, Ramesh Butolia, who sustained a head injury and a fracture in his left hand during the clash, said that they were attacked with rods and sticks. "We apologised to the woman and her family members, but they kept abusing us. They even used casteist slurs against us," he said.
Memraj, Tarun's father, said he and his wife had to hide inside their homes to protect themselves from attackers. "While we were inside our house, the attackers stood outside and kept abusing us… They had rods in their hands. This went on for at least 10-15 minutes. Around 11 pm, my son returned. While he was parking his bike outside our lane before entering home, he was attacked with rods and bricks," Memraj said.
"While they were beating him, they locked us from outside… We did not know that he was being beaten up… There were many of them… Tarun’s blood is still visible on the wall of a house near which they assaulted him," Memraj added.
DCP (Dwarka) Kushal Pal Singh said that on March 4, members of both families exchanged blows on the street, leading to injuries on both sides. "Three persons from one side and five the other sustained injuries, including Tarun who was attacked later. Except Tarun, the rest were discharged the same day. Tarun was declared dead the next day," he added.
Timeline Of Uttam Nagar Holi Incident
10:30 PM: A water balloon, with which Tarun’s 11-year-old cousin was playing, accidentally slipped from her hand and fell from the third floor of their house, splashing colours on a woman living in the neighbourhood. This triggered an argument between the two families.
10:40 PM: The argument quickly escalated into a scuffle as family members from both sides gathered, pushing and shoving one another. After a few minutes, members from both families returned to their homes.
11:00 PM: Tarun, returning home on his two-wheeler, was attacked outside his house with rods and bricks, leaving him critically injured.
As the news of Tarun’s death spread, Umardeen's family and the other accused reportedly fled after locking their houses by afternoon. On March 6, tensions escalated when a car parked outside one of the accused’s residences was set on fire by a mob. In the evening, a group of people belonging to the right-wing political outfit gathered near the Uttam Nagar Metro station, blocking the road and demanding strict action against the accused. Police intervened and dispersed the crowd using minor force.
Following the incident, Tarun's family registered a complaint. Based on the complaint, six individuals, Umardeen (49), Jummadeen (36), Kamruddin (36), Mustaque (46), Muzzaffar (25), and Tahir (18), were arrested, while a juvenile was apprehended. Police said Umardeen and his relatives, all residents of Block A, are involved in the dyeing business.
Police said sections under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act have been added to the FIR in the case.