New Delhi, Sept. 8 -- The killing of 54-year-old Manipuri musician and music teacher Chongtham Vikram Singh in south Delhi has triggered demands for a swift and impartial investigation, while also leading to a political exchange between the Congress and BJP. Singh was allegedly beaten by a group of men after he objected to loud noise and drinking outside his home in Kilokari village late Sunday night. Seven adults have been arrested, and a 15-year-old boy has been apprehended in connection with the case.
According to police and people familiar with the incident, Singh went downstairs from his third-floor apartment at around 11.30 pm on Sunday to dispose of garbage when he noticed a group of men associated with nearby dhabas and food stalls creating a disturbance. An argument reportedly followed after he asked them to lower the noise.
Singh was then allegedly chased back into his residential building and attacked. B Ruchida Sharma, a Manipuri social activist, said the group followed him to the third floor, where he was overpowered and beaten in the corridor before the attackers fled.
A neighbour living on the second floor recalled hearing a commotion and briefly opening her door. "I saw some people running behind a person. I had no idea who they were, as it was dark outside. They were abusing him and, due to fear and the late hour, I closed my door," she said.
The neighbour described Singh as "very humble" and soft-spoken, saying he had lived in the locality for around eight to nine years. She also said the noise outside had made her feel unsafe.
Delhi Police received a PCR call about the assault at 1.38 am on Monday. Singh's 20-year-old son, Yaiphaba, a law student, took him to Holy Family Hospital in Okhla, where he later died from his injuries at around 7am, according to people familiar with the case.
Police said CCTV footage, technical surveillance and local intelligence helped identify and trace those allegedly involved. The arrested men are Bharat Kumar, 19, Pramod, 26, Ramzan Khan, 22, Vijay, 36, Deepanshu, 21, Mohan Vishwakarma, 32, and Mannu, 26. Four allegedly worked as delivery workers, two as packaging workers and Mannu at a pizza kiosk, with all linked to nearby dhabas or food outlets.
A case has been registered under Sections 103(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Police are also examining whether there was any racist motive behind the attack.
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said Delhi Police had assured him that a chargesheet would be filed within eight to nine days. He said he was personally monitoring the investigation and called for the "strictest possible" punishment for those responsible.
Rijiju said the accused were from states including Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar. He also said arrangements had been made to take Singh's body to Imphal on Wednesday.
Singh's family, meanwhile, appealed for justice rather than revenge. Addressing a press conference at Manipur Bhawan, his wife Joshna Chongtham said, "We are not seeking revenge. We are seeking justice." She said the family wanted accountability and an impartial investigation while asking that Singh's memory and dignity be respected.
Singh had lived in the Kilokari area for more than two decades and had spent about 17 years working as a private music teacher in Delhi. His musical career began in Manipur, where he played with Ultra Vires before joining the legendary rock band Phoenix in the early 1980s. He later performed with Eastern Dark and worked with singer Mame Khan for about a decade. He was also associated with Coke Studio and taught Hindustani music, rock and roll and jazz.
The killing has also raised concern among members of Delhi's northeastern community. The Northeast India Forum Against Racism alleged that the case reflected racial discrimination, while the North East Students Society, Delhi University, described Singh as a respected Manipuri musician and sought a swift and fair probe.
Residents and community members held a candlelight march in Kilokari on Monday evening, with nearly 100 people participating and demanding action against those responsible.
The killing drew sharp political reactions. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asked why families from the Northeast in Delhi were left wondering about their safety, while party president Mallikarjun Kharge said the incident reflected lawlessness in the capital. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra called the killing a national shame and demanded swift action. The BJP hit back, with spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia questioning Congress over past remarks by Sam Pitroda about people from the Northeast. Rijiju said the tragedy should not be turned into a political matter, adding that every Indian life is precious.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.