New Delhi [India], September 8 (ANI): The brutal assault and murder of 54-year-old Manipuri musician Chongtham Vikram Singh in South Delhi’s Ashram area has sent shockwaves through the national capital, igniting fierce political outcry, civil society protests, and urgent demands for systemic security for citizens from the Northeast.
The tragedy unfolded around 11:30 PM on September 6, 2026, when Vikram Singh went downstairs from his residence to object to loud noise and nuisance caused by delivery boys and local dhaba staff.
According to his wife, Joshna Chongtham, a simple request to lower the volume escalated into fatal violence. Singh was chased back up to his doorstep and brutally beaten with fists and heavy blows by a mob of eight men before they fled when family members opened the door.
Suffering from severe breathlessness and a rapid drop in blood pressure, Singh was rushed to the Holy Family Hospital emergency room, where he succumbed to his injuries at 6:00 AM on Monday, September 7.
“I have lost my husband, and my son lost his father. My husband was a peace-loving musician who lived a peaceful life… We hope such an incident never happens to another family, and we hope justice will be done,” said Joshna Chongtham, wife of Chongtham Vikram Singh.
She also expressed appreciation to the community and civil society members who have stood by the family in the aftermath of the tragedy.
“We are thankful to everyone for the outpouring of love and support following this incident. We hope such an incident never happens to another family, and we hope justice will be done,” she said.
According to police, Vikram Singh had objected to alleged shouting and nuisance by delivery boys and dhaba staff opposite his house. When he came downstairs to object, he was allegedly attacked with fists and blows.
Earlier today, Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh wrote a formal letter to Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta regarding the brutal assault and subsequent demise of Vikram Singh.
In his letter, Manipur CM expressed deep concern over the incident and sought the Delhi government’s intervention to ensure a fair and time-bound investigation into the case.
Highlighting the need for accountability and safety, the letter stated, “In view of the gravity of the situation, I earnestly request your personal intervention to ensure that: Expedited & High-Level Investigation: The investigation is conducted in a fair, transparent, and time-bound manner under the direct supervision of senior police leadership. Stringent Prosecution: All perpetrators and conspirators are apprehended without delay and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Manipur CM further demanded an independent probe, mentioning, “Independent Probe: Should circumstances warrant, the feasibility of transferring the case to an independent, specialised agency such as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) be proactively explored to reinforce complete public confidence.”
The Manipur Chief Minister also emphasised the safety of the North Eastern community residing in Delhi, urging the implementation of protective measures.
“Community Safety Measures: Visible confidence-building and security measures are reinforced across localities with significant populations of students and working professionals from Manipur and the North Eastern States,” the CM added in the letter.
Moreover, the Delhi Meetei Coordinating Committee (DMCC) raised critical questions regarding basic safety, dignity, and equality for citizens from the Northeast following the fatal assault of a 54-year-old Manipuri musician.
Lilina condemned the attack, expressing shock that a routine request to lower noise levels resulted in fatal violence.
“This is very unfortunate. This should not have happened to any of us. I was shocked to learn that he was brutally assaulted and murdered just because he requested them to lower their voice. If we do not have the dignity to live in this country, the dignity to live safely and with equality. Then what development are we talking about?” she asked.
Addressing systemic concerns surrounding racial prejudice and the security of migrants in the national capital, the spokesperson emphasised that national progress is meaningless without fundamental constitutional protections for all citizens.
“If this racial discrimination and racial violence continue, then development is of no use because every citizen has the right to live with dignity and safely and equally in the country, just like every other Indian – we too want the same,” she said.
The condemnation was also supported by Binalakshmi Nepram, a human rights activist from Manipur, who issued a direct warning that further attacks on people from the state in Delhi or at home would provoke serious retaliation.
“We wish to convey the message on behalf of 3.3 million Manipuris. You touch another brother, you touch another sister, and Manipur will wage war against the people who are trying to kill our brother, our children, both at home as well as in Delhi. Manipur is in a state of conflict right now. People come to Delhi for safety, and you are killing us,” she said.
Popular Assamese singer and composer Joi Barua termed the killing of 54-year-old Manipuri musician C Vikram Singh in Delhi a “plain-blooded murder”.
Barua said it was particularly shameful as it involved a musician on a day when the country was celebrating the birth centenary of legendary singer Bhupen Hazarika.
“So this is not an accident. This is plain blooded murder,” Barua told ANI.
“I really think law and order in this country should really think twice about the way things are happening,” he added.
Barua further said, “I really hope some of the harshest of laws are implemented, and you know this is taken as a sign that this will not be taken on further.”
Political leaders across parties also condemned the murder, targeting the ruling BJP-led central government over public safety and administrative oversight in the national capital.
Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi sought a swift investigation into the killing of a 54-year-old Manipuri musician.
In a post on X, Gandhi said, “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.”
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge called the murder of the Manipuri musician a “chilling reminder” of the “utter lawlessness under the Bharatiya Janata Party” and demanded strict action against those responsible.
In a post on X, Kharge wrote, “The merciless lynching of Chongtham Vikram Singh ji, a well-known musician from Manipur, by a mob is yet another chilling reminder of the utter lawlessness under the BJP. Students are unsafe. Women face atrocities every day. People from Northeast India face discrimination. Dalits, Adivasis and minorities remain highly vulnerable.”
He alleged that Delhi had become a “crime capital” under Union Home Minister Amit Shah, citing National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data.
“Under HM Amit Shah’s watch, Delhi has become a crime capital, with the NCRB recording the highest levels of crime in the national capital year after year,” LoP Rajya Sabha said.
Congress Rajya Sabha MP Pawan Khera accused the state and Union Government of creating a culture of impunity that led to the circumstances surrounding the musician’s death.
“C Vikram Singh, a musician from Manipur, objected to the noise and nuisance outside his home in Delhi. He was beaten to death. One could dismiss this as an isolated incident of drunken violence. But there is more to it. This happened after years of the government normalising and legitimising loud DJs, public ruckus and the blatant disregard for rules. Instead of enforcing the law consistently, those in power have too often looked the other way – creating a culture of impunity. The government may not have wielded the bat that killed Vikram Singh. But it cannot escape responsibility for creating the environment that led to his murder,” Khera said.
Congress MP Christopher Tilak called the attack a part of a broader, systemic issue of racism and prejudice prevalent in the national capital.
Tilak emphasised that the killing should not be viewed as an isolated conflict, pointing to deep-seated biases faced by students and residents from the Northeast and South India living in Delhi.
“First of all, we should not consider this as an isolated case. A sort of racism already exists in Delhi. And I’ve been meeting students from the Northeast and also students from South India. Students from the Hindi Belt have a kind of attitude towards the students from the Northeast and from the South. So, this is an extension of that particular phenomenon in Delhi,” he said.
The Congress MP asserted that the tragedy underscores ongoing discrimination that requires urgent national intervention.
“This has clearly shown the atrocities that are regularly happening against the Northeast, the discrimination. Rather than just an individual being killed, I think this is an issue that the nation has to take up in a big way, that too in the capital city. It’s quite unfortunate, and we will surely speak for this,” he said.
AIUDF MLA and General Secretary Rafiqul Islam condemned the attack, urging the Centre to look into the matter seriously and take the strictest action against the accused.
“Such incidents involving people from the Northeast occur in various parts of the country. It is unfortunate. There have been many such incidents in the past as well. I condemn this. The Government of India and the Ministry of Home Affairs should take this seriously, arrest the accused, and ensure they receive the strictest possible punishment,” he said.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said all individuals allegedly involved in the physical assault that resulted in the death of 54-year-old Manipuri musician C Vikram Singh in South Delhi have been arrested.
Describing the incident as “very distressing”, Rijiju said, “I have spoken with the IGP of the South Delhi range, as well as the DCP and Joint Commissioner of the Special Police Cell for the North-East region. All eight individuals involved have been arrested, and the police have also met with the family of the singer, Vikram Singh.”
He said arrangements had been made to transport Singh’s mortal remains to Manipur on Wednesday.
Rijiju further added that the individuals belonged to different communities and hailed from different states, having come to Delhi for work.
Furthermore, South East DSP Vineet Kumar said that the investigating authorities in Delhi are prioritising evidence collection to deliver swift justice.
He said that the police teams are gathering evidence, reviewing the CCTV footage, and statements to complete the investigation at the earliest.
“We have arrested 7 major people and 1 minor who has been apprehended. We are collecting all the eyewitnesses’ statements, CCTV footage, and other clues. We are trying to do the investigation as soon as possible and deliver justice swiftly. The investigation is ongoing. We are collecting all the statements, and we will complete the investigation very soon. All the accused work in the local establishment. The accused either work as a delivery boy or as a worker. ,” he added.
Following the incident, community member Sangeeta Devi said she had been with Vikram’s wife since Monday morning and described the family as being in a state of shock. She alleged that a group of seven to eight people followed Vikram upstairs and assaulted him outside his home.
“When his wife and son opened the door, they shouted, ‘What are you doing?’ Hearing their voices—and realising there are many residents here who might open their doors, making it unsafe for the attackers—the assailants probably thought of that and fled,” Sangeeta Devi said.
Another community member, Narmada Devi, described Vikram as a singer, guitarist, mentor and music teacher, and said the family was seeking justice.
“Yes, we want justice. We want justice. If such incidents keep repeating, it’s not right. That’s why we demand justice,” she said.
Meanwhile, Neroda Devi, who said she has been living in the building for eight years, described Vikram as a “very good person” and a musician who did not pick unnecessary fights with anyone. (ANI)
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