NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi Police to ensure adequate protection for the family of a 26-year-old man who was allegedly killed during a violent clash in the Uttam Nagar Holi incident, while also taking note of measures to curb inflammatory content online.Justice Girish Kathpalia recorded the state’s submission that adequate security arrangements are already in place, including the installation of CCTV cameras in the locality and deployment of police pickets to maintain law and order.
The Court was further informed that a police picket has been stationed outside the petitioners’ residence to ensure their safety. It also directed the concerned SHO to share his personal mobile number with the family so they can immediately contact him in case of any threat or emergency.Taking note of the digital dimension of the case, the court observed that over 250 inflammatory and communally sensitive videos related to the incident have already been removed from social media platforms. The petitioners were also granted liberty to flag any further such content for prompt removal.On the issue of recent threats, including an April 13 incident, the Court recorded that police have collected relevant material and that the matter is under examination by an ACP-rank officer for appropriate action.Senior advocate Pramod Kumar Dubey appeared for the petitioners, along with Advocates Anirudh Gupta, Ashish Gupta, Satyam Sharma, and Ram Chand.The case relates to the killing of 26-year-old Tarun in Uttam Nagar on March 4, 2026, during the Holi period. According to the plea filed by his mother, Laxmi Devi, and family members, the incident was triggered by a minor altercation involving a balloon thrown by a child, which escalated into a violent clash, resulting in Tarun’s death.According to news agency ANI, an FIR has been registered at Uttam Nagar Police Station under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. As per the petition, 22 accused have been identified, of whom 18 have been arrested, while others remain absconding.The family, who are key witnesses in the case, have alleged continuous threats and intimidation by the accused and their associates, including attempts to pressure them into withdrawing from the proceedings. The plea specifically referred to an April 13 incident in which women allegedly linked to the accused threatened the family and warned of further harm.The petition also flagged the circulation of inflammatory videos on social media, stating that such content has aggravated tensions in the area and increased the family’s sense of threat.(With agency inputs)
