Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi attended a condolence programme in Delhi on Thursday for deceased Manipuri musician Chongtham Vikram Singh, who was allegedly beaten to death in the Ashram area of South Delhi on the night of September 6, 2026. Gandhi expressed concern over violence against a person based on their identity or place of origin and said such violence cannot be accepted.
Rahul Gandhi paid tribute to Chongtham Vikram Singh during the condolence programme. He said Singh was targeted because he was from Manipur.
Gandhi said the killing of a young person was itself a serious incident. He added that targeting someone because of their identity or the place they came from was a matter of serious concern.
Gandhi said there should be no place for discrimination or violence against a person based on their identity. He linked the incident to violence and hatred and said such conduct was unacceptable.
Gandhi said that regardless of how the incident was viewed, violence had taken place in the case of Vikram Singh. He said the incident involved violence, hatred and arrogance.
He said a mindset was developing in which a person who considered themselves powerful gave themselves the right to use violence. Gandhi described this approach as wrong.
He said having power did not mean that a person could use violence against another person. According to him, violence against anyone on the basis of power cannot be accepted.
Chongtham Vikram Singh was killed at around 11:30 pm on September 6, 2026. He lived in the Ashram area of South Delhi.
According to the available information, there was loud noise and a commotion between a delivery worker and employees of a local dhaba below his residence.
Singh allegedly objected to the noise and commotion. It is alleged that the delivery worker and dhaba employees subsequently attacked him.
The accused allegedly chased Singh inside the building and followed him for three floors before assaulting him with kicks and punches. Singh sustained serious injuries in the attack and died.
According to the postmortem report released on Thursday, Singh died from heavy internal bleeding caused by severe physical injuries to his chest and abdomen.
The injuries mentioned in the report are being considered important in the investigation. Police are investigating the sequence of events, the people involved in the attack and the possible motive behind it.
Singh was taken to hospital by his family members after the incident. According to the available information, he died at the hospital.
Delhi Police arrested eight people on Tuesday in connection with Vikram Singh's killing. One of those arrested is a minor.
The police action followed facts that emerged after the incident and during the investigation. Officials are examining the circumstances of the case and the role of those allegedly involved in the attack.
Police are also investigating how the dispute began and the circumstances in which the entire attack took place. The possible motive is also being examined.
CCTV footage that emerged after the incident shows some people leaving the musician's residence. These people are alleged to have attacked Vikram Singh.
Another piece of footage shows members of Singh's family taking him to the hospital after the incident. The available footage also shows his son carrying him on his shoulder.
Police are using CCTV footage and other available evidence in the investigation. However, the role of each person visible in the footage can be confirmed only after the investigation is completed.
Following Vikram Singh's killing, concerns have been raised over the safety of members of the Northeast community living in Delhi. The case has also brought attention to the safety of people from northeastern states and allegations of discrimination against them in the capital.
Singh was originally from Manipur and was associated with the music sector while living in Delhi. Political reactions to the incident have also emerged following his death.
At the condolence programme, Rahul Gandhi specifically expressed concern over targeting a person based on their identity or place of origin. He spoke against violence and hatred and said that violence against a person on the basis of power cannot be accepted.
Police are currently investigating the circumstances of the case and the possible motive behind the attack. According to the available information, the incident began with a dispute after Singh objected to noise and a commotion. The complete sequence of events will become clear from the facts that emerge during the police investigation.
Police have arrested eight accused and further legal action in the case is continuing. Investigators are examining CCTV footage, the postmortem report and other available evidence to establish the sequence of events.
Singh's death has raised concerns over the safety of people from the Northeast community in the capital. The ongoing police investigation and further evidence will establish the circumstances in which the attack occurred and the reasons behind it.
