Murder in Delhi's Uttam Nagar: MCD demolishes 'illegal portions' of accused's house

NEW DELHI: The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on Sunday carried out a demolition drive, razing the illegal portions of a house linked to one of the accused in the Uttam Nagar Holi clash case, in which a 26-year-old man was killed, police sources said.Heavy police and paramilitary forces were deployed in the area to maintain law and order during the operation.Sources said civic officials arrived at the locality with bulldozers and demolished only the illegally constructed sections of the structure, not the entire house. The MCD officials were not available for their comments.On March 4, Tarun (26) was killed in a clash between his family and their neighbours in the JJ Colony area, police said. The violence erupted after water from a balloon thrown by a girl from Tarun’s family splashed onto a woman from the neighbouring family. According to police, 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 persons and apprehended a minor in connection with the case. Charges of murder and provisions under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act have been added to the FIR.The accused have been identified as Umardeen (49), Jummadeen (36), Kamruddin (36), Mustaque (46), Muzzafar (25), Tahir (18) and a minor.Maan Singh, the victim's relative, had earlier called for justice. He 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 incident triggered tensions in the area, with an angry mob vandalising several vehicles and setting some on fire on Friday, prompting heavy deployment of police forces.Deputy commissioner of police (Dwarka) Kushal Pal Singh stated, '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.'(With agency inputs)