NEW DELHI: Close to Sunday midnight, when the cacophony outside a dhaba in front of his home became unbearable, a 55-year-old musician from Manipur went downstairs to ask them to tone down the noise.The argument flared up and he was beaten to death allegedly by a group of dhaba workers in southeast Delhi’s Kilokari Village, near Ashram.The deceased, Chongtham Vikram Singh, was a well-known musician, part of popular music bands in Manipur. He is the son of renowned classical vocalist Chongtham Ongbi Kamala Devi and the cousin of Lakshmipriya Devi, the director of India’s first BAFTA Award-winning film. He ran a music school in Delhi.Police have apprehended 8 workers, including a minor.Singh had been frustrated with the shouting and commotion by delivery men and workers of the dhaba. Singh, from his home, asked them to tone down the noise. While he was alighting the stairs to talk to them, the group rushed up and attacked him on the alleyway.
Police meet family, assure prompt action
Singh sustained severe injuries from the assault.He was immediately taken to the nearby Holy Family Hospital by his son, Yaiphaba. However, Singh died during treatment.CCTV footage shows an injured man being carried down the staircase, on someone’s shoulder. The alleged attackers could be seen exiting the stairs in the footage. Investigators are currently working to ascertain the exact sequence of events and the full circumstances that culminated in the death of the music teacher.Police said the arrested were involved in packaging or food delivery work at different eateries.A case under sections 103(2) (murder) and 3(5) (common intention) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita has been registered. The deputy commissioner of police and other senior officers have met the family and other community members and assured prompt action.
