Supreme Court Declines CBI Probe in Tarun Butolia Murder Case, Asks Family to Approach Delhi Police

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday refused to order a CBI investigation into the murder of 26-year-old Tarun Butolia, who was killed during a communal clash in Delhi’s Uttam Nagar area on Holi.
A three-judge Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant observed that the probe was already underway and expressed reluctance to transfer the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation. “Delhi Police are a professional force. Why demoralise them?” the Bench remarked, noting the agency’s workload.
The court directed the petitioners to approach the Delhi Police Commissioner for ensuring the safety and security of the victim’s family, stating that such matters fall within administrative jurisdiction. It added that if grievances persist, the petitioners are free to move the Delhi High Court.
Tarun Butolia died on March 4 after sustaining severe injuries in a clash between two neighbouring families. The violence reportedly erupted after a water balloon thrown by a girl from one community accidentally hit a woman from another, escalating into a fatal confrontation.
During the hearing, advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, appearing for the petitioners, termed the incident a case of mob lynching and sought intervention citing earlier Supreme Court guidelines on such matters.
The incident had triggered protests in parts of Uttam Nagar, with vehicles linked to some accused being set on fire. Police have since arrested multiple individuals in connection with the case, and the investigation is ongoing.