New Delhi, February 3: The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) to submit a report on the examination of audio tapes that allegedly link Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh to the instigation of ethnic violence in the state.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar ordered that the CFSL report be submitted in a sealed cover within six weeks. The court has scheduled the next hearing for the week starting March 24, 2025.
The order followed a petition filed by the Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust, which is seeking an independent investigation into the leaked audio tapes. During the proceedings, Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta, representing the Manipur government, argued that the petitioner had an "ideological baggage" and a "separatist mindset." Mehta further claimed that the Supreme Court's appointed judges' panel had expressed concerns about certain civil society organizations attempting to "keep the pot boiling."
Chief Justice Khanna clarified that the court had not yet examined the content or authenticity of the audio tapes, but had requested the CFSL report.
Advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing the petitioner, told the court that a private forensic agency, 'Truth Labs', had already analyzed the tapes and confirmed with over 93% certainty that the voice in the recordings belonged to the Chief Minister. Bhushan argued that the findings of 'Truth Labs' held greater credibility than those of government agencies.
The petition, filed by the Kuki group, called for a court-monitored probe into the audio clips, which were reportedly shared by a whistleblower. The Kuki group claims that the tapes reveal telephone conversations involving the Chief Minister that suggest his involvement in the ethnic violence in Manipur.
The Supreme Court is also handling cases related to the ongoing violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur. The violence erupted on May 3, 2023, following a rally by the All Tribal Students Union of Manipur (ATSUM). The conflict, which has plagued the state since that time, has led to the deployment of paramilitary forces by the Central government to restore order.