New Delhi: Delhi Police have submitted a chargesheet naming seven persons in the case relating to the death of Chongtham Vikram Singh, a 54-year-old Manipuri musician and music teacher, who was allegedly beaten by a mob in Kilokari in southeast Delhi last month, IANS reported.
The 500-page chargesheet has been filed before a court in Saket, Investigators have relied on the statements of over 30 witnesses.
Police said Vikram Singh was attacked outside his residence on the night of September 6 after he reportedly objected to noise and nuisance near a dhaba located opposite his home. His son, Yaiphaba, told investigators that he heard his father crying out at around 11.30 pm and found several youths assaulting him when he stepped out.
The complainant said the attackers ran away after he shouted for help. He also told police that he had seen their faces and could identify them.
Vikram Singh was rushed to Holy Family Hospital, where he died during treatment on September 7. Police said the accused included workers at the dhaba and other nearby eateries.
Legal Provisions Invoked
The chargesheet has been filed under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for criminal conspiracy, murder, murder committed by a group of five or more persons, and house-trespass with intent to commit an offence.
Those named are Bharat Kumar, 19; Pramod, 26; Ramzan Khan, 22; Deepanshu, 21; Mohan Vishwakarma, 32; Vijay, 36; and Mannu, 26. A juvenile was also apprehended in connection with the incident, reports said.
Demands For Justice
The death had led to widespread outrage, with the Manipur Students’ Association Delhi and other groups calling for a detailed investigation into a possible racial motive.
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh had written to Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta seeking a high-level probe and stringent action against those responsible. He had also suggested exploring the possibility of handing over the case to an independent specialised agency such as the Central Bureau of Investigation to strengthen public confidence in the investigation.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju had said he spoke to Delhi Police, which assured him that a strong chargesheet would be filed within two weeks. The minister had expressed distress over the musician’s death and said the safety and dignity of people from the Northeast, as well as every Indian, were non-negotiable.
The Manipur Chief Minister had also met Vikram Singh’s family in Imphal West on September 10 and assured them of all possible support, saying those responsible would be punished and justice would be delivered.