GUWAHATI: The Supreme Court on Monday, May 5, directed the Union Government to file a fresh report from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) on audio clips allegedly featuring former Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, in connection with the ethnic violence that erupted in the state nearly two years ago.
ALSO READ: CBI Arrests Oil India Deputy GM, Private Firm Executive In ₹7 Lakh Bribery Case
The order came while a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar was hearing a petition filed by the Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust. The petitioner is seeking a court-monitored investigation into a set of leaked audio recordings, claimed to be in Singh’s voice, which allegedly link him to the violence.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Union Government, informed the bench that an FSL report had already been submitted in a sealed cover. He urged the Court to allow the investigation to continue without further scrutiny, stating that the situation in the State had stabilised.
However, after opening and reviewing the sealed report, the Chief Justice questioned its adequacy, saying, “Mr Mehta, you have to talk to the offices, please talk to the offices… what is this FSL report?” Mehta admitted he had not examined the report’s contents. The Court instructed him to do so and to return with a fresh report after re-examination.
The bench recorded in its order that the Solicitor General would obtain instructions regarding the filing of a new FSL report and relisted the matter for hearing in the week commencing July 21. It also noted that the ongoing investigation would not be halted.
Appearing for the petitioner, Advocate Prashant Bhushan argued that the investigation, conducted by the State Police, lacked credibility given that it involved allegations against the former chief minister. Bhushan pressed for a stay on the investigation, contending that an independent probe was necessary.
The Chief Justice declined the request, noting that President’s Rule had been imposed in Manipur since February and that this change in governance addressed Bhushan’s concern about potential bias in the investigation. “Now we have President’s Rule over there, so that will take care of your argument,” the CJI said.
The Court had previously sought a forensic report from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory in February, after Bhushan presented a certification from Truth Labs, a private forensic agency, affirming the authenticity of the audio clips. The earlier bench, led by then Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, had directed the petitioner to furnish material establishing the tapes' credibility.
President’s Rule was imposed in Manipur shortly after Singh’s resignation earlier this year, following persistent instability since ethnic violence began in 2023. The matter remains under active judicial consideration and will be taken up again in July.
