New Delhi, March 8 Authorities on Sunday demolished alleged "illegal" portions of a house linked to one of the accused in the Uttam Nagar Holi clash case, in which a 26-year-old man was killed. The victim's family demanded a CBI investigation and strict action against all those involved in the incident.
An MCD team reached the JJ Colony locality with bulldozers and razed parts of the house belonging to Nizamuddin, the father of accused Umardeen, sources said. Police and paramilitary forces were deployed to prevent any further escalation in the area, which has been tense since the March 4 incident.
As the demolition action against the accused, possibly the first of its kind in Delhi in recent years, was carried out, the police cordoned off the area and a large number of residents gathered nearby to watch.
While the MCD remained tight-lipped about the action, an official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said it was part of a civic exercise to remove encroachments on drains that obstruct water flow, especially with the monsoon season approaching.
Police have so far arrested seven people and apprehended a juvenile in connection with the case, DCP (Dwarka) Kushal Pal Singh said.
The latest arrest was that of Imran alias Bunty (38), who was taken into custody on Sunday in connection with the killing of Tarun (26) following a clash between two families during Holi celebrations.
The accused arrested earlier have been identified as Umardeen (49), Jummadeen (36), Kamruddin (36), Mustaque (46), Muzzafar (25) and Tahir (18), while a juvenile was also apprehended.
Police have invoked stringent provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in the case, following statements from members of the victim's family.
According to police, the violence erupted after water from a balloon thrown by a girl from Tarun's family splashed on a woman from the neighboring family during Holi celebrations in the densely populated JJ Colony area.
What began as a minor argument soon escalated into a violent confrontation between members of the two families and their supporters. Police said the two families had known each other for nearly five decades and had previously been involved in disputes over issues such as parking and garbage disposal.
Tarun sustained fatal injuries during the attack. The killing sparked anger among residents, with a mob damaging vehicles and setting some on fire on Friday, prompting authorities to increase security deployment across the area.
"Companies of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have been deployed in the area, along with additional forces drawn from the western range of the Delhi Police, including personnel from the outer and west districts," the DCP said.
Senior police officers said the area has been divided into zones, sectors and sub-sectors to ensure effective monitoring and to maintain law and order.
"Zones are being monitored by the Deputy Commissioner of Police of Dwarka district, while sector areas are under the supervision of Assistant Commissioners of Police. Sub-sectors are being monitored by senior officers, including station house officers," an officer said.
Police personnel were seen patrolling the lanes of the locality and making announcements through loudspeakers, appealing to residents to remain calm and not pay heed to rumours.
Authorities said strict vigil is being maintained to ensure that no attempt is made to disturb communal harmony or the law and order situation in the area.
Police teams are also keeping an eye on social media posts.
Meanwhile, the demolition drive carried out by the civic authorities drew mixed reactions from residents and the victim's family.
Memraj, the father of victim Tarun, said the demolition of the house would not bring justice to his family and demanded a thorough investigation into the case.
"I got to know that some portion of the house of Nizamuddin has been demolished today. They killed my son. Demolishing their house will not bring justice," he told
