Manipuri Guitarist Chongtham Vikram Singh Dies After Alleged Ass*ult Outside Delhi Home

Yugcharan News / 08-09-2026

NEW DELHI: The Delhi music community and members of the Manipuri community are mourning the death of guitarist and music teacher Chongtham Vikram Singh, who died on Monday morning after he was allegedly assaulted outside his residence in the national capital. Singh, 55, had spent nearly two decades in Delhi, where he built a career around music, teaching students and performing with different musical groups.

According to reports, the incident occurred late Sunday night when a group of men were allegedly creating a disturbance outside Singh’s home. His family has claimed that Singh went downstairs after hearing the commotion and attempted to intervene. What followed left the musician critically injured and ultimately cost him his life.

Singh was taken to Holy Family Hospital after being found in a severely weakened condition. Despite efforts to treat him, doctors were reportedly unable to save him. He died at around 6.30 am on Monday.

Family Says Singh Went Outside After Hearing Disturbance

According to Singh’s family, a group of around eight people were allegedly present outside the house at approximately 11 pm on Sunday. The men were reportedly creating a disturbance, and Singh went downstairs to ask them to stop.

The family said that after some time, Singh returned to the house in an injured and semi-conscious condition. His son, 20-year-old Yaiphaba, reportedly found him with his T-shirt torn and his condition deteriorating.

Family members said Singh was attempting to get back inside and was heard calling out for the door to be opened. He was subsequently taken to hospital for emergency medical attention.

Doctors at Holy Family Hospital reportedly found his blood pressure to be critically low, with the systolic reading said to have fallen below 50 mmHg. Given the seriousness of his condition, doctors were reportedly unable to proceed with surgery, and Singh died the following morning.

The circumstances surrounding the assault are now the subject of a police investigation. Details regarding the identities of those allegedly involved and the exact sequence of events are expected to become clearer as investigators examine available evidence, including witness accounts and CCTV footage.

A Life Dedicated to Music

Singh’s death has come as a shock to those who knew him as a musician, teacher and mentor. Originally from Thangmeiband Lourung Purel Leikai in Imphal West, Manipur, he moved to Delhi nearly 20 years ago and gradually established himself within the city’s music community.

Rather than treating music simply as a profession, Singh made it the centre of his life. Over the years, he performed as a lead guitarist with bands in Manipur and later continued his musical journey after moving to Delhi.

He also opened a music school in the capital and taught students from his home. His work as an educator extended beyond private lessons, with Singh also associated with the Delhi School of Music.

Friends and students remembered him as an accomplished musician who remained deeply committed to his craft. His work gave him an opportunity to interact with musicians from different parts of the country and participate in cultural and musical programmes.

Collaborations With Musicians From Across India

Singh’s career included participation in the Rock’n’Roots project, where he worked with Rajasthani folk singer Mame Khan. The collaboration reflected his interest in bringing together musical traditions and working with artists from different cultural backgrounds.

He also collaborated with other established musicians for concerts and cultural programmes. His career therefore extended beyond the Manipuri music scene and connected him with a broader network of performers and artists.

For those who knew him personally, Singh’s musical identity was closely connected with his personality. Friends described him as gentle and passionate, with music forming an important part of his everyday life.

His contribution was not limited to performances. Through teaching and mentoring, he also helped younger students develop their musical abilities, continuing a relationship with music that extended beyond his own performances.

Family Left Devastated

Singh is survived by his wife, Jyotsana, and their 20-year-old son, Yaiphaba. His wife works as a senior consultant with a multinational company, while his son is pursuing law.

The family has also been facing the difficult task of informing elderly relatives about his death. Singh’s brother, Vivek, said that their 96-year-old father, Dr Chongtham Birendra Singh, had not initially been informed because the family feared that the news could be too difficult for him to withstand.

Singh’s 86-year-old mother, Chongtham Ongbi Kamala Devi, is herself a well-known Manipuri singer associated with both classical and modern music.

The family’s connection with the arts therefore extends across generations, making Singh’s death an especially painful loss for those close to him.

Singh was also reportedly a cousin of Lakshmipriya Devi, director of the Manipuri film Boong, which received international recognition, including a BAFTA Award.

Protests Seek Accountability

The death has triggered concern among members of the Manipuri community in Delhi and Northeast India. Following the incident, members of Manipuri associations, Northeast student groups, friends and relatives reportedly gathered outside Sunlight Colony police station.

The protesters have called for a thorough investigation and accountability in the case. Community representatives have also expressed concern about ensuring that the circumstances surrounding Singh’s death are not forgotten after the immediate attention surrounding the incident subsides.

One concern raised by members of the community is that the case should be pursued to its logical conclusion and that those responsible, if identified and found culpable, should face due legal process.

The postmortem examination has reportedly been completed. Community members have also expressed their wish to delay the transportation of Singh’s body to Manipur until there is greater clarity regarding the investigation and the action being taken by authorities.

Investigation Underway

The alleged assault has raised questions about safety and the circumstances that led to the confrontation outside Singh’s residence. Police investigators are expected to establish the identities of the people involved, determine what led to the dispute and examine whether the assault directly caused the injuries that resulted in Singh’s death.

CCTV recordings, witness statements and other available evidence could play an important role in reconstructing the sequence of events.

As the investigation continues, it remains important that allegations are distinguished from established facts and that responsibility is determined through due legal procedure.

For Singh’s family, however, the loss is already permanent. A musician who spent years building a life around his art in Delhi is now being remembered by relatives, friends, students and fellow performers.

A Loss for Delhi’s Music Community

Singh’s death represents a significant loss not only for his family but also for the musical circles in which he worked for years. His journey from Manipur to Delhi reflected the experience of many artists who move to larger cities in search of opportunities while maintaining strong connections with their cultural roots.

Through performances, collaborations and teaching, Singh created a space for himself within Delhi’s diverse music environment. His association with students and musicians ensured that his influence extended beyond the stage.

Those who knew him have described him as someone whose life was closely intertwined with music. His guitar, performances and teaching were central to the identity he developed over decades.

The circumstances of his death have now transformed the story of his musical journey into one marked by tragedy.

As police continue investigating the alleged assault, members of the Manipuri and Northeast communities are watching closely for developments. They have demanded that the case receive a comprehensive investigation and that any person found responsible be dealt with according to law.

For Singh’s family, friends and students, the focus remains on remembering the musician and teacher he was — a man who spent nearly 20 years in Delhi building a life through music and mentoring others who shared his passion.