GUWAHATI: The Supreme Court on Monday, February 3, directed the production of a forensic report from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) concerning audio tapes allegedly implicating Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh in the state’s ethnic violence. The report has been instructed to be submitted in a sealed cover.
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According to LiveLaw, a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar passed the order while hearing a writ petition filed by the Kuki Organization for Human Rights Trust, which has sought an independent investigation into the tapes.
Advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing the petitioner, claimed that the tapes were examined by Truth Labs, which certified with over 93% certainty that the voice belonged to Biren Singh. According to Bhushan, the chief minister can be heard in the recordings admitting that he allowed Meitei groups to loot the state armoury and ensured their protection from arrest.
Bhushan also stated that the recordings were made during a closed-door meeting and were leaked by an attendee, calling it a “serious issue” that points to the chief minister’s alleged role in instigating ethnic violence.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the State, raised a preliminary objection, suggesting that the petitioner should have first approached the High Court. He also informed the court that an FIR had been registered and an investigation was underway.
The tapes, Mehta said, have been sent for forensic examination, and investigators have contacted Twitter accounts that circulated the audio for verification.
Chief Justice Khanna asked about the status of the forensic report, to which Mehta replied that it would be produced. Bhushan argued that the Truth Labs’ report carried more credibility than any government agency’s findings.
The matter has been scheduled for its next hearing in the week commencing March 24.