Supreme Court Demands New Forensic Analysis on Audio Tapes Tied to Former Manipur CM

Supreme Court Orders Fresh Forensic Report

On Monday, the Supreme Court requested a new forensic analysis regarding audio recordings that allegedly connect former Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh to the state's ethnic unrest, as reported by a legal news outlet.

Earlier in February, the court had instructed the Central Forensic Science Laboratory to provide its findings in a sealed envelope. The court reviewed these findings during Monday's session.

The audio recordings reportedly feature a voice resembling Singh's, claiming responsibility for the origins of the conflict and boasting about disregarding Union Home Minister Amit Shah's directive against the use of explosives during the turmoil. The recordings also suggest that he protected individuals who had seized numerous firearms from police facilities.

Since the ethnic clashes erupted between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo-Hmar communities in May 2023, at least 258 lives have been lost, and over 59,000 individuals have been displaced. Violence has sporadically flared up into 2024.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the government, indicated that the investigation is ongoing. He emphasized the need for the inquiry to continue without further escalating tensions.

After examining the sealed report, Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar instructed Mehta to procure a new forensic report.

The case is set for a hearing in the week commencing July 21, following a petition from the Kuki Organization for Human Rights Trust, which has called for an independent investigation into the audio recordings allegedly involving Singh.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing the petitioners, previously asserted that Singh's purported remarks were captured during a private meeting and subsequently leaked. He described the situation as serious, alleging Singh's role in inciting and facilitating the violence.