Amid communal tensions in Delhi’s Uttam Nagar following the murder of a Hindu man on Holi, the Delhi High Court on Thursday directed police and local administration to ensure peace and harmony are maintained in the area ahead of Eid.
The court asked the police and civil administration to take necessary actions to create a conducive atmosphere for the peaceful and dignified observance of Eid.
A bench headed by Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya was earlier scheduled to hear the matter on Wednesday. However, the matter was subsequently listed for Thursday. During the hearing, the court said, “We thus direct the police and civil administration of the area to take all necessary action permissible under the law to ensure that the situation does not take any ugly turn and that an atmosphere is created conducive to the peaceful and dignified observance of the festival of Eid, which is likely to be tomorrow.”
“Police bandobast to be made should be such that instils a sense of safety and security in all,” the court added.
The court clearly stated that authorities shall ensure that no one from any section of society plays any kind of mischief to vitiate the atmosphere. “Whatever happens in Delhi has a ripple effect,” the court noted. The Delhi High Court also directed the police to make security arrangements till the festival of Ram Navami.
The court’s order came after some Hindu organisations allegedly warned that “Khoon ki Holi will be played on Eid” to avenge the killing of Tarun Butolia in JJ Colony, Uttam Nagar.
According to the police, the violence began after Butolia was beaten to death by members of a particular community over a minor dispute arising from an 11-year-old child’s playful act of throwing a water balloon.
While playing Holi on her terrace, the girl from Tarun’s family accidentally splashed a water balloon on a woman from another community. While the family immediately apologised to the woman, she still called her relatives to the spot, who then thrashed the girl’s family members.
The accused also reportedly called Tarun and informed him that his family was under attack. Hearing this, Tarun rushed to the house where the accused were already waiting.
They brutally assaulted him and allegedly threw a large stone on his chest even after he had collapsed. He was immediately rushed to the hospital by his family members, but unfortunately succumbed to his injuries during treatment on March 5.
The incident led to communal tensions in the area as anger spread among residents and members of Hindu organisations after Tarun’s death.
On March 6, hundreds of people gathered outside the Uttam Nagar Police Station, demanding strict action against the accused. A car and a motorcycle allegedly belonging to relatives of the accused were also set on fire.