Delhi Musician's Death: Wife Demands Justice, Says He Was Peace-Loving

The wife of Chongtham Vikram Singh, a 54-year-old musician who died after being assaulted in Delhi's Ashram area, has spoken out, describing him as a peace-loving man and demanding justice. Joshna Chongtham made the emotional appeal on Tuesday, a day after her husband succumbed to his injuries at Holy Family Hospital.

Speaking at a press conference at Manipur Bhawan in New Delhi, Ms. Chongtham said she was struggling to come to terms with the loss. "He was my husband, my child's father, a son and a brother, a musician, and a person deeply loved by my family, friends and relatives," she said. "We hope such an incident never happens to another family, and we hope justice will be done."

Manipuri rights activist Binalakshmi Nepram, who has been supporting the family, demanded life imprisonment for the accused. She also called on the government to educate people about those from the northeastern states, saying, "so that they learn to love and respect us, not kill us." Ms. Nepram conveyed a strong message on behalf of Manipuris, warning that any attack on their community would be met with resistance.

The assault occurred on Sunday night when Mr. Singh left his home after dinner. According to the police complaint filed by his 20-year-old son, Mr. Singh's screams were heard from the stairwell at around 11:30 pm. The son found his father being kicked and punched by a group of people, who fled when he opened the door. Ms. Chongtham said her husband came running back, chased by eight men who beat him and ran away. He complained of breathlessness and was rushed to the hospital.

The Delhi Police have registered an FIR under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to mob lynching. Seven men have been arrested and a 15-year-old boy has been apprehended. All are delivery or packaging workers at nearby dhabas. The FIR notes that Mr. Singh had previously been threatened by the group for asking them not to make noise late at night.

Ms. Chongtham and her son are expected to return to Imphal with Mr. Singh's body for his funeral. Meanwhile, condolences have poured in, with civil society organisations holding a candlelight vigil near the Sunlight Colony police station on Monday night.