Crime Branch Arrests Proclaimed Offender in Uttam Nagar Holi Mob Murder Case
The Delhi Police Crime Branch has arrested a 23-year-old proclaimed offender near the Palam Flyover in connection with the fatal mob beating of 26-year-old Tarun Butolia in southwest Delhi’s Uttam Nagar. The accused, identified as Sohail, was apprehended on August 8 after law enforcement officers received specific intelligence indicating that he had returned to the capital and was planning to flee to Nepal.
Sohail had been evading arrest for more than six months following the incident, which occurred during Holi celebrations. Special Commissioner of Police (Crime) HGS Dhaliwal confirmed that Sohail had officially been declared a proclaimed offender by a local court in Dwarka on July 31 in connection with the ongoing murder case.
The underlying incident took place on March 4 near Tarun's residence in Uttam Nagar, triggered by a minor dispute over a dropped water balloon during Holi festivities. An argument broke out following the incident. Despite Tarun’s family offering an apology to resolve the matter, an armed group carrying sticks, iron rods, and wooden batons later ambushed Tarun as he was returning home. He sustained severe head injuries in the attack and subsequently succumbed to his injuries.
The murder sparked significant outrage and tension within the Uttam Nagar locality. Prior to capturing Sohail, police officers investigating the murder case had already arrested 14 accused individuals and apprehended two juveniles for their involvement in the deadly assault.
During interrogation by Crime Branch officers, Sohail revealed that there had been a previous enmity between his family and the victim's family. He disclosed that upon learning of Tarun’s death, he fled Delhi and remained in hiding at multiple locations across the country, including Jaipur, to evade arrest. Sohail stated that he had recently returned to Delhi to meet with his family members and was actively preparing to escape toward Nepal when he was intercepted near Palam Flyover.
