Sarim
A neighbourhood dispute that began with a water balloon thrown during Holi celebrations in west Delhi escalated into violence that left a 26-year-old man dead, police said, while the demolition of a property linked to one of the accused has been challenged before the Delhi High Court.
The incident took place on March 4 in the JJ Colony area of Uttam Nagar when an 11-year-old girl threw a water balloon from the terrace of her house. Police said the balloon burst and splashed coloured water on a neighbouring woman, triggering an argument between the two families despite an apology from the girl’s relatives.
According to investigators, the dispute escalated after the woman allegedly called relatives to the spot. A clash followed in which people from both sides used sticks, iron rods, bricks and stones. Eight persons were injured in the confrontation — three from one family and five from the other — and were treated at nearby hospitals.
Tarun Kumar, 26, a resident of the area who police said was not directly involved in the initial dispute, was later attacked in a lane near his house. Investigators said Kumar had returned after celebrating Holi with friends when he was confronted and assaulted, sustaining serious head injuries. He died at a hospital on March 6.
Residents said Kumar had been pursuing courses in digital marketing and interior designing while also helping support his family.
Police have registered a murder case and invoked provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. An FIR was also registered under Section 110 (attempt to commit culpable homicide) and Section 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita in relation to the altercation between neighbours. Seven persons, including a minor, have been arrested so far.
Additional police personnel have been deployed in the locality to maintain order.
Separately, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on March 8 demolished part of a property linked to one of the accused, identified by police as Nizamuddin, citing unauthorised construction under civic regulations.
The demolition has been challenged in the Delhi High Court by relatives of the accused. During a hearing on Tuesday, Justice Amit Bansal orally directed civic authorities, including the MCD, not to take any further action against the properties of two accused persons until the matter is heard further.
One of the petitions states that the petitioner — the mother of an accused — is the lawful owner of a house in JJ Colony where she has lived for nearly four decades and has regularly paid electricity bills and municipal charges. The plea alleges that on March 7 a mob gathered in the area, broke open the locks of the accused family’s house and vandalised the property, with parts of it allegedly set on fire.
The petition further claims that the MCD demolished the residential structure of one accused the following day without issuing prior notice or a show-cause notice, and without giving the occupants an opportunity to be heard. The petitioners have sought protection from what they describe as arbitrary demolition, citing Supreme Court guidelines issued in 2024 regarding demolition of structures.
The petitions — Jarina vs State (NCT of Delhi) & Anr. and Shahnaz vs State (NCT of Delhi) & Anr. (WP 3020/2026 and WP 3021/2026) — have been filed through advocates Divyesh Pratap Singh, Amit Sangwan and Bharat Mishra. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the family of the accused has also alleged that a 14-year-old boy injured during the clash went missing after being taken from a hospital. According to the family, the boy, identified as Rizwan, suffered head injuries during the confrontation and was initially taken to a nearby hospital before being shifted to a private facility on Dabri Road.
Relatives alleged that he was taken away by unidentified persons after being discharged and that his whereabouts were unknown. These claims could not be independently verified.
Police, however, have rejected the allegation. “Rizwan is one of the main accused who was apprehended and has been sent to an observation home by the Juvenile Justice Board. The reports of him missing are baseless and completely untrue,” the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Dwarka) said.
Residents in the mixed neighbourhood said the incident should not be seen as reflective of community relations in the area.
Mohan Lal, a shopkeeper who has run a store in JJ Colony for more than two decades, said he had never experienced hostility between communities in the locality.
The police investigation into the incident is ongoing.