NEW DELHI: Delhi Police has charged 18 people in connection with the killing of Tarun Butolia during Holi celebrations in Uttam Nagar in March. Two others allegedly involved are minors, against whom preliminary enquiry reports (PIRs) have been submitted before the Juvenile Justice Board, according to sources.The chargesheet was filed at Dwarka court on Sunday. Running over 500 pages, it outlines a wide range of offences against the accused. Eighteen of the 20 people have been booked under sections related to murder, unlawful assembly, rioting, common intention, trespass, voluntarily causing hurt and relevant provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.Following the revelation about the alleged role of the minors, police have added BNS Section 95, which deals with hiring, employing or engaging a child to commit an offence. Later, Section 103(2) (group of five or more acting in concert to commit murder on ground of race, caste/community, sex, place of birth, language, personal belief) was also added. All 20 people are related to each other. Two suspects remain absconding, and non-bailable warrants have been issued against them.The murder took place two months ago, on March 4. An 11-year-old girl, a relative of Tarun, was throwing water balloons during Holi festivities when one of them accidentally splashed on a woman from another community, who also happened to be their neighbour.The incident triggered an argument that escalated into a violent confrontation between the sides, in which three from one side and five from the other sustained injuries.Tarun’s family alleged they were assaulted by the accused, who also allegedly raised caste-based slogans against them.Based on these allegations, provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act were subsequently incorporated into the chargesheet. “Tarun was returning home after celebrating Holi with his friends when he was waylaid near his residence by his neighbours. He was allegedly attacked brutally with sticks and sustained severe injuries. He succumbed to his injuries on March 5,” a police officer said.Investigators said the location data analysis of the accused, along with statements from nearly 45 witnesses, including local residents, played a crucial role in identifying and apprehending the suspects. Forensic examination also revealed fingerprints on the sticks allegedly used in the attack, further strengthening the evidence collected in the case.After the incident, several inflammatory posts began circulating on social media. Police coordinated with social media platforms to get the content removed. More than 14 takedown requests were sent to X and eight to Instagram. Cops also acted against several social media accounts for allegedly spreading misleading information and raising over Rs 35 lakh “under the garb of false narratives” related to the murder.
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