India
All Eight Suspects Held in Delhi Death of Manipuri Musician, Chargesheet Expected in Two Weeks: Rijiju
Union minister Kiren Rijiju has announced that all eight people accused in the death of Chongtham Vikram Singh, a 55-year-old musician and music teacher from Manipur, have been arrested. The incident occurred in the Ashram area of Delhi. Rijiju stated that police have assured Singh's family that a strong chargesheet will be filed in court within two weeks.
Speaking to news agency PTI, Rijiju described the incident as very sad, explaining that Singh had gotten into an altercation with delivery workers and staff at a dhaba, or roadside eatery. Following the fight, he was allegedly beaten and later died during treatment. Rijiju said he had spoken with the Inspector General of Police for the South Delhi Range, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, and the Joint Commissioner of Police for the Special Cell handling Northeast affairs regarding the case.
According to Rijiju, police have also met with Singh's family, and his body was scheduled to be transported to Manipur on Wednesday. He expressed hope that the accused would receive strict punishment once the chargesheet is filed.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge separately condemned the incident, describing it as a mob lynching. In a post on social media platform X, Kharge called it a chilling reminder of what he termed lawlessness under the Bharatiya Janata Party's governance. He said students remain unsafe, women face daily atrocities, people from Northeast India encounter discrimination, and Dalits, Adivasis, and minorities continue to be highly vulnerable. Kharge demanded strict action against those responsible for Singh's death.