Eight Men Sentenced to Life for Farmer's Murder During Holi Clash

On March 8, 2023, a violent incident erupted from a minor dispute during Holi celebrations in Aligarh, India, leading to the tragic murder of a 30-year-old farmer. According to the victim's father, Dhyanpal Singh, tensions had been simmering between the two families for some time over unresolved disagreements.

The incident occurred when the victim, Mukesh, was passing in front of the accused's house around 3 pm. The eight men, including four brothers named Komal Singh, Rajaram, Amar, and Thakurdas, along with their relatives, allegedly attacked Mukesh with lathis, sticks, and bricks. The assault escalated when Mukesh was dragged to a terrace and thrown down, causing severe injuries to his head and legs. Despite efforts to rush him to the hospital, Mukesh succumbed to his injuries on the way.

Based on Dhyanpal's complaint, the police registered a case under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including rioting, murder, and voluntarily causing hurt. The convicts were arrested and later released on bail as the trial proceeded. However, on September 27, 2025, the court of additional sessions judge Nawal Kishore found the eight men guilty and sentenced them to life imprisonment. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 22,000 on each convict.