Uttam Nagar clash case: SC asks family of Tarun Butolia to approach Police Commissioner over safety

The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday (March 25, 2026) allowed petitioners in the case of a 26-year-old man who died from injuries sustained in a clash between two neighbouring families at Uttam Nagar in the national capital to approach the Police Commissioner with a comprehensive representation if his family members fear for their safety and security.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said the police would evaluate the threat perception and take remedial measures. The family would be free to move the Delhi High Court if their apprehensions were not addressed.

Appearing in the writ petition filed by petitioner Hari Shankar Jain and three others, advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain submitted that the plea concerned the death of Tarun Butolia. Mr. Jain said the case was one of lynching. He referred to the Tehseen Poonawalla vs Union of India judgment in 2018 in which the top court had compared communal violence and lynchings to a “typhoon-like monster”.

The 2018 judgment had issued a series of guidelines to States and their police forces to take steps to prevent lynchings. The court had directed the police to register FIRs and prosecute the perpetrators without delay. In 2025, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta had submitted that mob lynching was a separate offence under the new criminal law. Any violation, he said, would be dealt with in accordance with the law. Mr. Mehta had nevertheless agreed that the 2018 directions of the Supreme Court were binding on all.

On Wednesday, Chief Justice Kant said the investigation by the Delhi Police was under way. The petition had sought a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation.

“Everyday, the CBI comes here and raises their hands and says their plate is full. Delhi Police is a professional force. Why to demoralise them? If the police need to be sensitised, you can approach the Police Commissioner first,” the Chief Justice addressed the petitioner side.

Mr. Jain clarified that the petitioner had not intended to “demonise” the police, but only wanted to protect the family. “A boy has lost his life,” he submitted.

Trouble reportedly began after Holi on March 4 when latent hostilities between the two neighbours came to the fore after a water balloon thrown by a child from Mr. Butolia’s family accidentally hit a Muslim woman from the neighbouring family.

Mr. Butolia was attacked by a mob the same evening and died the next day. Eight people sustained injuries and 14 individuals were arrested by the police.

Subsequently, the Delhi High Court intervened and directed the police and the administration to ensure a conducive atmosphere for the peaceful and dignified observance of Eid.