Manipuri Musician's Death: Kiren Rijiju Says All Accused Held, Chargesheet Soon

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday said Delhi Police have arrested all eight people allegedly involved in the assault that led to the death of 54-year-old Manipuri musician and music teacher Chongtham Vikram Singh in South Delhi. He said the investigation is being pursued quickly and that a strong chargesheet will be filed to ensure those found responsible face strict punishment.

Calling the incident deeply distressing, Rijiju said he had spoken with senior Delhi Police officials, including the IGP of the South Delhi range, the DCP and the Joint Commissioner of the Special Police Cell dealing with matters concerning the Northeast community. He said the police have also met Singh’s family and assured them of action in the case.

According to the minister, all eight individuals allegedly connected to the incident have been arrested. He said police have collected information about their backgrounds and found that the accused worked at local dhabas and as delivery workers. The dispute, he said, reportedly began late at night over loud music and noise before escalating into a physical confrontation.

Singh, who was from Manipur, was reportedly at his home in Kilokari village in the Ashram area when he objected to shouting and disturbances allegedly involving delivery workers and dhaba employees outside his residence. Police said the situation escalated after Singh came downstairs to raise his objection, following which he was allegedly assaulted with punches and blows. After the attack, Singh’s son Yaiphaba took him to Holy Family Hospital for medical treatment. Despite efforts to treat him, the musician later died from the injuries he had sustained in the alleged assault.

Rijiju said Delhi Police have assured him that the chargesheet would be submitted to the court shortly. While he referred to a timeline of around two weeks at one point, he also said police had indicated that the legal paperwork could be completed within a shorter period in an effort to speed up the judicial process. He stressed that the chargesheet must be comprehensive and supported by strong evidence.

“The chargesheet has to be watertight,” Rijiju said, adding that the punishment should be severe if the accused are found guilty. He said the death had resulted from an altercation that took place late at night and that the police acted quickly after Singh’s son contacted the police control room. Although some of the suspects had reportedly left the area, police were able to trace and arrest them.

The Union minister also responded to criticism from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, urging political leaders not to turn the incident into a political controversy. Rijiju said the immediate priority should be justice for Singh and appropriate legal action against those responsible. He also emphasised that people from the Northeast are Indian citizens and should receive the same protection and support as anyone else living in the capital.

Rijiju further pointed to the role of the North-East Special Police Cell within the Delhi Police, saying the mechanism has been established to respond quickly to incidents involving people from the region. He said the authorities remain in contact with the Northeast community and that the system is intended to ensure prompt intervention when complaints are received.

Singh’s death has sparked concern within the Manipuri and wider Northeast community in Delhi. As the investigation progresses, the focus will now be on the evidence collected by police, the individual roles of those arrested and the charges included in the final chargesheet. The courts will ultimately determine the guilt of the accused based on the evidence presented during the legal proceedings. Arrangements are being made to take Singh’s mortal remains to Manipur. His death has left his family, friends and members of the music community mourning, while authorities face pressure to ensure that the investigation is completed swiftly and that the case proceeds through the judicial system without delay.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.