Manipuri musician's killing in Delhi: Police chargesheet seven

Delhi Police have filed a chargesheet against seven people in the killing of Manipuri musician and music teacher Chongtham Vikram Singh, 54, who died after an alleged assault near his home in south Delhi's Kilokari village in September, Northeast Live reported on Tuesday, October 20.

The charges

The chargesheet, filed before the Saket Courts, accuses the seven of offences including murder, criminal conspiracy and house-trespass with intent to commit an offence. It invokes Sections 61, 103(1), 103(2) and 332(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Section 103(2) covers murder by a group of five or more people.

Police have separately submitted a preliminary report naming a 15-year-old before the Juvenile Justice Board.

The seven accused are Bharat Kumar, 19; Pramod, 26; Deepanshu, 21; Mohan Vishwakarma, 32; Ramzan Khan, 22; Vijay, 36; and Mannu, 26. Police say four worked at a dhaba near Singh's home and the others at other eateries and a pizza kiosk. The charges have yet to be tested in court.

The evidence

The chargesheet reportedly runs to more than 300 pages and relies on statements from over 20 eyewitnesses and CCTV footage that investigators had analysed in a laboratory, including image superimposition to help identify the suspects.

What police allege

Investigators believe the assault was linked to Singh's objections to loud music and noise from a dhaba opposite his house. Some men associated with the eatery had allegedly threatened him earlier.

According to the FIR filed by his son, Yaiphaba, the incident took place around 11.30 pm on September 6 in the Sunlight Colony police station area. Hearing his father shouting, he ran out and allegedly found four to five young men kicking and punching him; they fled when he raised an alarm. Singh was taken to Holy Family Hospital and died during treatment on September 7.

Reaction

The death drew wide condemnation and concerns about a possible racial motive. Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh urged Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta to ensure a high-level probe, and visited the family in Imphal West on September 10. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said Delhi Police had assured him a strong chargesheet would be filed.

Who he was

A guitarist, Singh ran a music school in Delhi and was associated with popular Manipuri bands. He was the son of classical vocalist Chongtham Ongbi Kamala Devi and a cousin of filmmaker Lakshmipriya Devi, director of the BAFTA-winning film Boong.

The case has been committed to the Sessions Court for further proceedings.