NEW DELHI: Delhi Police on Sunday arrested the eighth accused in connection with the murder of a 26-year-old man in Delhi’s Uttam Nagar. The accused, identified as Imran alias Bunty (38), was arrested as part of the ongoing investigation into the case, according to news agency ANI. Deputy commissioner of police (Dwarka) Kushal Pal Singh said, “In continuation of the arrests earlier made in the case, eighth accused – Imran @ Bunty, aged 38 years, has also been arrested. Also, as per the statements of deceased Tarun’s family, stringent provisions of SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act have been invoked,” Singh said.
Tarun, 26, was killed on March 4 during a clash between his family and their neighbours in the JJ Colony area, police said. According to investigators, the dispute began after water from a balloon thrown by a girl from Tarun’s family splashed onto a woman from the neighbouring family, leading to a confrontation that escalated into violence. Police said the two families had known each other for nearly five decades and had frequent disputes over issues such as parking and garbage disposal. So far, police have arrested six people and apprehended a minor in connection with the case. Charges of murder along with provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act have been added to the FIR. Those arrested have been identified as Umardeen (49), Jummadeen (36), Kamruddin (36), Mustaque (46), Muzzafar (25) and Tahir (18), along with a minor. Following the incident, the victim’s family demanded strict action against the accused. Maan Singh, a relative of the victim, said, “We want the Yogi (Uttar Pradesh chief minister) bulldozer model to be used. Their unauthorised houses should be demolished and all illegal extensions removed.” The killing triggered tensions in the area. On Friday, an angry mob vandalised several vehicles and set some on fire, prompting authorities to deploy heavy police forces to maintain order.
