SC peruses CFSL report on audio tapes allegedly featuring ex-Manipur CM Biren Singh, suggests fresh report

Former Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh.
| Photo Credit: PTI

The Supreme Court on Monday (May 5, 2025) perused a sealed cover report submitted by a central forensic science laboratory on the veracity of audio recordings allegedly “establishing complicity” between former Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh and the ethnic violence in the northeastern State which led to the loss of many lives.

A Bench of Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Sanjay Kumar was informed by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, that the investigation into the allegations were also continuing separately. “Peace is prevailing in the State. The investigation will go on, no doubt,” Mr. Mehta said.

At one point after going through the report, the Bench asked Mr. Mehta to “talk to the officers” and suggested filing a fresh report.

Later, the court recorded in the order that the Solicitor General would take instructions anew on filing a fresh forensic report.

The court relisted the case in the week commencing on July 21.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for petitioner-NGO Kuki Organisation for Human Trust, referred to the prayer in the petition for a court-monitored investigation by a Special Investigation Team into leaked audio clips.

“But now we have the President’s rule there [Manipur],” the Chief Justice remarked.

Mr. Bhushan indicated that may not be enough.

The senior lawyer had in an earlier hearing submitted that Truth Labs report of the audio tapes showed “93% chances that it is his (Mr. Singh) voice”.

Mr. Mehta had however sought to dismiss the submission by Mr. Bhushan, saying Truth Labs was a private organisation. Mr. Bhushan had responded that Truth Labs reports were extensively used in court as evidence.

The NGO, also represented by advocate Cheryl D’Souza, alleged the “Chief Minister of Manipur [now the former] was instrumental in inciting, organising and thereafter centrally orchestrating the large-scale murder, destruction and other form of violence against the Kuki-dominated areas in Manipur”.

“In 2023, violence broke out in Manipur due to the clash between the majority Meitei community and the tribal Kukis. Thereafter, in August 2024, an audio of approximately 48 minutes allegedly recorded in a closed door meeting with the Chief Minister was published in various newspapers. The recorded conversation prima facie shows the complicity and the involvement of the State machinery in violence against KukiZo community,” the petition has claimed.