Rahul Gandhi seeks swift investigation and justice for Chongtham Vikram Singh, the Manipuri musician beaten to death in Delhi

Guwahati: Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has sought a swift investigation and justice for Chongtham Vikram Singh who was beaten to death in New Delhi’s Kilokari village by a group of eight people. Singh, a Manipuri musician, has been staying in Delhi for the past 17 years. The incident has triggered protests in Manipur and Delhi.

Seven adults and a 15-year-old boy were apprehended in the case. The assault came after Singh objected to the loud music and noise at a dhaba outside his home.

“At around 11:30 pm on Sunday, Singh went downstairs from his third floor residence where he noticed a group of workers near two nearby dhabas making noise outside his residence. Arguments broke out and later the group chased him and he was beaten up,” officials said.


Congress leader Rahul Gandhi stated on X, “Chongtham Vikram Singh ji, a renowned musician from Manipur, went downstairs to ask some men to lower the noise outside his home. He was beaten to death for it. A father, killed outside his own home, in his own country’s capital. After many such incidents, every Northeast family in Delhi is asking the same question today –– are we safe here? What are Shah’s MHA and Delhi Police doing to stop this growing lawlessness, especially against people from the Northeast? There must be a swift investigation, and the culprits must be brought to justice. My condolences to Vikram ji’s family.”

Also read | Dhirendra Shastri on Bengal politicians' radar for 'Pakhandi', 'Ganda Khana' comment

Former Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh shared the CCTV footage from the building on X while calling for a thorough investigation into Singh’s death. The footage showed eight men coming down the staircase, presumably after the alleged assault.

Delhi Police received a call about the assault at 1:38 am on Monday, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southeast) Vineet Kumar said. Singh’s son took him to a private hospital in Okhla for treatment. He later died at around 7 am, Sharma said.

The arrested are Bharat Kumar, Pramod, Ramzan Khan, Vijay, Deepanshu, Mohan Vishwakarma, and Mannu. A case was registered under Sections 103(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Section 103(2) deals with murder committed by a group of five or more people acting together in circumstances specified under the law, while Section 3(5) relates to acts carried out by several people in furtherance of a common intention.

Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K Sangma stated on X, “Disturbed by the assault incident that led to the tragic demise of musician Chongtham Vikram Singh from Manipur in Delhi. This incident has once again reopened the painful wounds of atrocities faced by people from the Northeast in the capital. Call upon the authorities and the Delhi Police to ensure those responsible are dealt with the strictest consequences.”

Also read | Volkswagen's years-long quest for a local Indian partner may finally be complete

Union Minister for Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), Jyotiraditya M. Scindia stated on X, “The tragic demise of musician Chongtham Vikram Singh from Manipur is deeply distressing. The safety and dignity of every person from the Northeast is non-negotiable. I urge the Delhi Police to ensure swift action and a thorough investigation, and that those responsible face the strictest consequences under the law.”

Manipur chief minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh has written a letter to Delhi counterpart Rekha Gupta drawing attention to the tragic incident involving the brutal assault Singh.

He said, “This heinous incident has triggered widespread grief, anger, and anxiety among the people of Manipur and the wider Northeastern diaspora. The chief minister has sought that the investigation is conducted in a fair, transparent, and time-bound manner. Should circumstances warrant, the feasibility of transferring the case to an independent, specialized agency such as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) be proactively explored to reinforce complete public confidence”.