The Juvenile Justice Board in Dwarka (JJB), Delhi, on Wednesday (8th April) denied bail to two minors accused in the brutal killing of a 26-year-old Hindu man, Tarun Kumar, who was lynched to death by a Muslim mob in Delhi’s Uttam Nagar area. The JJB refuse to grant bail to the minors, who, as per the law, are referred to as ‘children in conflict with the law’ (CCLs), noting that their release could “defeat the ends of justice” and expose them to “physical and psychological danger”.
“In such a volatile situation, the premature release of the CCLs who are named and alleged participants in the incident is likely to aggravate the prevailing situation, disturb public peace, and undermine public confidence in the justice delivery system,” the JJ Board said.
As per reports, the investigating officer in the case opposed the bail plea of the minors, citing the prevailing “tension between two communities” and cautioning that their release could disturb public peace. The defence, while arguing for the bail of the accused, invoked their right to life and described the lynching of Tarun as a “mutual bilateral altercation between two neighbouring families”. It informed the board that the granduncle of the minors, one of whom is 14 years old, was willing to take full responsibility for their care, supervision and welfare during the proceedings.
However, the board said that the assurance given by the granduncle was insufficient at this “sensitive stage” of the investigation, with an absconding accused and pending recoveries. The JJ Board observed that the probation and the medical reports (PMD) of the accused indicated that they suffered from “impaired judgement, parental neglect, poor problem-solving skills and poor social awareness.” The board also noted that one of the minor accused expressed fear that, on getting released on bail, he might have to face retaliation from the people from the “opposite side”. The board decided against granting bail, observing that the minors needed care, protection, and structured supervision at this stage.
The brutal lynching of Tarun in Uttam Nagar
26-year-old Tarun Kumar was lynched by a Muslim mob on the festival of Holi on March 4, 2026, in Uttam Nagar’s JJ Colony. The attack on Butolia was reportedly triggered by a dispute between two families. According to police and family accounts, an 11-year-old girl from Tarun’s family was playing Holi on her terrace. She threw a water balloon, aiming at her father, who was standing below. However, the balloon fell on the road and splashed water on a Muslim woman from the neighbourhood, leading to an argument between the two households.
The Hindu family and the girl apologised, and the matter appeared to be resolved. But the tensions escalated when Tarun returned on his bike in the evening after celebrating Holi with a friend. Tarun was stopped by a group of 15 to 20 people belonging to the Muslim community and was brutally assaulted with iron rods, bricks, stones, and other objects. The attackers also beat his family members and others, who rushed to the spot to protect him. Tarun was taken to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries the next day.
