Delhi Holi balloon brawl: Victim Tarun’s parents urge CM Rekha Gupta for 'Yogi-style' justice

• Tarun died after a violent Holi clash in Uttam Nagar, Delhi.
• Family demands strict action and updates on arrests.
• Police say dispute began with a water balloon incident.

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The mother of 26-year-old Tarun, killed in a violent clash between neighbours in west Delhi's Uttam Nagar during Holi celebrations on March 4, has demanded strict action against the accused, claiming the family has received no updates on arrests despite reports of 16 people being detained, TOI reported.

Tarun succumbed to injuries after a dispute that began when a water balloon accidentally dropped by his seven-year-old niece spilled a few drops on a woman named Saira, according to the family's account reported by TOI. The mother recounted standing below her house with the child playing on the second floor when the incident unfolded. She alleged Saira responded by threatening to have the girl raped by her family members, prompting her to question such language against a child.

The situation escalated rapidly as Saira allegedly summoned 20-25 people, including women and men, to the spot that night, the mother told reporters. She claimed a woman named Salima struck her in the face with a rod, while men tore her blouse and assaulted her husband, brother-in-law, son, and brother-in-law's son. The attackers reportedly vowed to "finish the Khatiks" during the assault.

Tarun's father added that the family had no prior direct fight with the accused, but tensions had simmered over their mistreatment of stray dogs, including throwing water, acid, stones and sticks at the animals, the report added. The family's children had scolded them for this, leading them to target Tarun, he alleged. On the day of the clash, the balloon fell near Saira's feet without hitting her, yet she screamed, drawing a crowd armed with sticks and stones.

The mob beat the family before they retreated inside their house, where attackers kicked the gate and smashed windows, the father said. Police arrived an hour after the violence began. He demanded the administration hang the accused, arrange their encounter deaths, or demolish their house entirely.

The mother expressed frustration that no Dalit leader had visited the family and urged Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta to deliver justice akin to that under the Yogi government in Uttar Pradesh. "Still, no Dalit leader has come to me... I want justice for my son. If the Yogi government does it, why can't Rekha Gupta do it?... She hasn't even come to meet us yet. Our daughter went to meet her," she was quoted by TOI as saying.

Tarun's father thanked protesters across the country for supporting their fight for justice and called for severe punishment of all involved. Police stated the clash stemmed from a balloon dispute during Holi that turned violent, with Tarun assaulted and later dying from his injuries, as per TOI citing officials.