N Biren Singh Leaked Audio: SC Seeks Report on Manipur CM N Biren Singh’s Alleged Role in Ethnic Violence

N Biren Singh Leaked Audio: The Supreme Court today directed the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) to submit a sealed report within six weeks on the authenticity of leaked audio tapes allegedly implicating Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh in the ethnic violence that has claimed over 200 lives.

A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar heard a plea by the Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR) and fixed March 24 as the date for hearing. The bench said it would later decide whether the matter should be brought up for adjudication before this court or the Manipur High Court.

The controversy involves alleged audio tapes containing the voice of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, indicating his involvement in the violence. The tapes were first analysed by a private forensic institute, Truth Labs, which reportedly confirmed that the voice was that of the chief minister. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta questioned the credibility of Truth Labs, who pointed out that it was a privately run organisation.

He assured the Court that the Government has already sent the tapes to CFSL for verification, and the findings are awaited. During the hearing, CJI Khanna observed that Manipur is slowly returning to normalcy, and said that the proceedings will be put on hold for the time being.

Justice Kumar, who has previously been the Chief Justice of Manipur High Court, casually revealed that when he was appointed to the Supreme Court, CM Biren Singh had hosted a dinner in his honour. He said that if the petitioner objects, he will recuse himself. Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for Kohur, said that there is no objection to Justice Kumar hearing the case.

The Solicitor General pointed out that some civil society organisations are trying to prolong the unrest and brought to the notice of the Court that an FIR related to the tapes was already lodged in August, while the petition was filed in November. He further said that the government had contacted those who uploaded the clips on social media and asked them to provide the original files for verification.

While advocate Bhushan described the transcript as “very serious” and implicating the chief minister, CJI Khanna clarified that he had not yet reviewed its contents. “We are cautious. Also, I don’t know the contents of the transcript and its veracity. That is for you people to check… let the FSL report come,” he said.

With the forensic report expected in six weeks, all eyes are now on the Supreme Court’s next step in this politically sensitive case.