4 min readMar 9, 2026 08:07 PM IST
First published on: Mar 9, 2026 at 03:00 PM IST
Seven more people, including three women, have been arrested and a teenager apprehended in connection with the murder of 26-year-old Tarun Kumar in Delhi’s Uttam Nagar on Holi (March 4). A total of 16 people have been arrested now, said police.
On Monday, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta met the victim’s family at her office and assured them of justice.
“Today at the Delhi Secretariat, I met the family of Tarun, who tragically lost his life in the unfortunate incident in Uttam Nagar, and expressed my deepest condolences. In this unbearable time of grief, the Delhi Government stands firmly with the victim’s family with full sensitivity, responsibility, and determination,” Gupta wrote on her X account.
“The pain and loss faced by Tarun’s family are extremely deep and unbearable. Ensuring justice for them is our highest priority. Clear instructions have been issued to guarantee the strictest and swiftest legal action against all those involved in this heinous crime,” she said.
The CM also said the Delhi government will provide every possible assistance, support, and necessary help to the victim’s family.
“At the same time, all required steps are being taken to ensure the safety and protection of the family… Such inhumane and violent incidents will not be tolerated in Delhi at any cost. Strict action will be taken against the perpetrators to send a clear message to society that there is no place for crime in Delhi,” she added.
Police said the latest arrested accused have been identified as Sayra alias Kali, 40; Sarifan, 50; Salma, 36; Suhail alias Sahil, 21; Sameer, 20; Firoz, 22; and Ismile, 50.
Earlier, the police had arrested Umardeen, 49; Jummadeen, 36; Kamruddin, 36; Mustaque, 46; Muzzaffar, 25; and Tahir, 18.
Two juveniles are among those nabbed.
On March 4, Tarun was beaten to death allegedly over an issue involving a water-filled balloon. Police said Tarun’s family claimed his cousin was playing with a water balloon on the third floor of their house when it accidentally slipped from her hand and fell to the ground. The water splashed on Sayra, leading to an argument between the two families.
Police said the accused live in A Block, JJ Colony, Hatsal Road — in the same neighbourhood as the victim — and are involved in the cloth-dyeing business.
Police said that the fresh arrests were made on the basis of facts and technical evidence during the probe.
Since the incident, the locality has remained on edge. Protests erupted and a few miscreants allegedly vandalised the houses of the accused. On Sunday, civic authorities, along with the Delhi Police, demolished a portion of the three-storey house belonging to Umardeen.
On Monday, heavy police and paramilitary deployment remained in place in the JJ Colony with most entrances and exits blocked and almost all shops in the area shut. Officers said police and paramilitary personnel will remain deployed in the area for a few more days.
DCP (Dwarka) Kushal Pal Singh had earlier said family members from both sides had exchanged blows on the street. “Three persons from one side and five on the other sustained injuries, including Tarun who was attacked later. Tarun was declared dead the next day.
Families of the accused, as well as a few others, have left the locality. Tarun’s family has demanded a CBI inquiry into the incident.
On Monday, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta met the victim’s family at her office and assured them of justice. (Credit: X/@gupta_rekha) 
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