The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed the petitioners seeking security for the family members of 27-year-old Tarun Butolia, who died in a violent clash during Holi celebrations at Uttam Nagar, Delhi, to make a comprehensive representation to the Delhi Police Commissioner. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul Pancholi passed the order in a writ petition filed by Hari Shankar Jain, Ashish Kumar Dwivedi, Harinandan Singh and Yogesh Kumar. The Court declined to order a CBI investigation into the incident.
The bench observed that some of the directions sought were essentially administrative issues relating to the safety and security of individuals from the victim’s family, which could be well examined by the Delhi Police. It granted liberty to the petitioners to submit a representation to the Commissioner of Police, Delhi. The Court further clarified that the police authorities will evaluate the threat perception and take remedial measures as may be required. It added that if the petitioners’ grievances are still not effectively addressed, liberty is granted to approach the Delhi High Court.
During the hearing, Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, for the petitioners, submitted that a brutal incident of lynching had occurred over a water balloon, resulting in the loss of a young life, and referred to the Supreme Court’s directions in Tehseen Poonawalla for remedial measures for the victim’s family. The Chief Justice expressed difficulty in ordering a CBI probe, noting that the hands of the CBI were already full. When the counsel referred to a Delhi High Court judgment, the CJI refused to venture into it as the judgment was not under challenge. The Chief Justice observed that the Delhi Police is a fairly professional force and that grievances should first be raised before the Commissioner of Police, and only if not resolved, then before the Delhi High Court.
According to the Delhi Police, Tarun died following a clash between neighbouring families of Hindu and Muslim communities over a dispute regarding the throwing of a water balloon on the day of Holi.
Cause Title: HARI SHANKAR JAIN AND ORS. Versus UNION OF INDIA AND ORS. | W.P.(C) No. 336/2026
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