Uttam Nagar clash: Will provide protection to deceased’s family, police tells HC

The Delhi Police has assured the high court that it will provide the “best possible protection” to the family members of a 26-year-old man who died in a clash during Holi celebrations in the Uttam Nagar area here.

The deceased’s family members have said they are “key witnesses” in the case and are facing continuous and grave threats to their lives from the accused, their families and associates.

In their plea, the petitioners have alleged that the accused are “actively intimidating, harassing and threatening” them as well as the other witnesses to coerce them into withdrawing from the case.

In an order passed on April 23, Justice Girish Kathpalia asked the additional deputy commissioner of police concerned to direct the local station house officer (SHO) to provide his personal mobile phone number to the petitioners, so that they may contact him at the time of distress.

The Delhi Police‘s counsel said the local police is already active and CCTV cameras have been installed near the petitioners’ residence and police pickets are also in place to ensure communal harmony, with one being just in front of their house.

The petitioners, represented in the court by senior advocate P K Dubey, alleged that on April 13, a few unknown women, with their faces covered, threatened the mother of the deceased.

The counsel for the Delhi Police said the local police has already collected relevant material, including video footage, which is being examined for appropriate action, and an inquiry would be conducted by an officer of the rank of an assistant commissioner of police (ACP).

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The court was also told that more than 250 inflammatory videos and content from social-media platforms have been pulled down.

The court directed the petitioners to furnish specific particulars of any other such videos or content to the local SHO to enable him to take action.

Several people, including a minor, were apprehended by the Delhi Police in connection with the death of 26-year-old Tarun in a clash between two neighbouring families with longstanding disputes during Holi celebrations in southwest Delhi’s Uttam Nagar on March 4.