Archive · 8 Sep 2026
Manipur Guitarist Dies After Assault Over Delhi Dhaba Commotion
Chongtham Vikram Singh was a retired guitarist from Manipur who lived in Delhi with his family.
One night, he reportedly asked people near a dhaba to reduce loud music and stop making noise.
His son said several men then punched and kicked him outside their home.
Singh was taken to Holy Family Hospital but died while receiving treatment.
Police said the people involved included workers from nearby dhabas and food businesses.
Eight people, including a 15-year-old, have been apprehended, although an earlier police account mentioned at least two suspects being detained.
Police registered a murder case and are waiting for the postmortem report.
Groups representing Northeast communities said the killing shows that residents from the region can face violence and discrimination in Delhi.
Chongtham Vikram Singh, a 54-year-old retired Manipuri musician and guitarist, died after being assaulted outside his Kilokari home.
His son Yaiphaba said Singh confronted nearby dhaba workers and delivery personnel over loud music, shouting, and other nuisance.
Delhi Police said eight people, including a 15-year-old minor, were apprehended, while an earlier report said at least two had initially been detained.
Police registered a murder case under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 103(2) and 3(5); the postmortem report is awaited.
Meitei Heritage Society and other Northeast groups called for accountability and said the incident reflects wider violence and discrimination against Northeast residents.
- Who
- Chongtham Vikram Singh, a 54-year-old retired musician and guitarist from Manipur, was allegedly assaulted by dhaba and food-service workers; Delhi Police said eight people, including a minor, were apprehended.
- What
- Singh was allegedly beaten after objecting to loud music, shouting, and nuisance near his residence, and later died from his injuries.
- When
- The complaint says the assault occurred at about 11:30 p.m. on 06.09.26; reports described it as occurring late Sunday night.
- Where
- The assault occurred outside Singh’s home in Kilokari village in southeast Delhi, in the Sunlight Colony police-station area.
- Why
- According to Singh’s son and police, he objected to commotion allegedly caused by nearby dhaba staff and delivery workers.
Community Concerns
Police Account
Nature of the incident
Community Concerns
The Meitei Heritage Society described the killing as part of a wider pattern of violence, discrimination, and targeted attacks against Northeast residents in Delhi NCR. The North East Students Society called for a fair and thorough investigation.
Police Account
Delhi Police described the incident as an alleged assault after Singh objected to shouting, loud music, and nuisance involving dhaba staff and delivery workers.
Police response
Community Concerns
The Meitei Heritage Society said the FIR took a long time to be registered, prompting protests, and demanded prosecution of all remaining perpetrators and stronger protections for Northeast residents.
Police Account
Police said eight people had been apprehended, that a preliminary inquiry supported the family’s allegations, and that a murder case had been registered.
- Deceased
- Chongtham Vikram Singh, 54
- Occupation
- Retired musician, guitarist, and former guitar teacher
- Residence
- Kilokari village, southeast Delhi
- Apprehensions
- Eight people, including a 15-year-old minor, according to Delhi Police
- Police case
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 103(2), murder, and 3(5), common intention
- Hospital
- Holy Family Hospital
- Postmortem
- Conducted at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi; report awaited
- Initial custody discrepancy
- The Telegraph India report initially referred to at least two people being detained or apprehended
