As the Truth Labs report on the alleged audio clip involving Manipur CM Biren Singh nears its public release, the political ramifications could be profound. The investigation into the clip that allegedly implicates Singh in the state’s ethnic violence could hold the key to resolving one of the country’s most contentious issues.
BY Navin Upadhyay
The forensic report from Truth Labs regarding an audio clip allegedly featuring Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh making provocative remarks may cause a seismic shift in Manipur politics. If authenticated, the findings could be a turning point in the ongoing 19-month ethnic conflict between the Kuki and Meitei communities.
Supreme Court Developments
During a Supreme Court hearing on January 28, Advocate Prashant Bhushan informed the bench that he had submitted the Truth Labs report in a sealed cover. The court has been examining the case since November 2024.
The controversy first emerged in August 2024 when The Wire reported on the alleged audio recording in which Biren Singh purportedly admitted to complicity in the ethnic conflict. The Manipur government dismissed the tapes as “doctored.”
ALSO READ: Kuki Rights Group Urges SC to Expedite Probe Into Leaked Audio of Manipur CM
However, skeptics have argued that if the tapes were doctored, Singh himself could have volunteered to get them examined and come clean.
Now, with Truth Labs submitting its findings, the matter may soon reach a definitive conclusion.
Truth Labs: A Credible Institution
Truth Labs, India’s first independent forensic science laboratory, was founded on October 2, 2007, by Dr. Gandhi P.C. Kaza and 18 retired forensic science experts. The organization provides a wide range of forensic services, including audio-video analysis, questioned document examination, and DNA profiling.
The Biren Singh tapes show his involvement in serious crimes & partisanship in the ongoing genocide in Manipur. He must be removed. Read my representation on behalf of the Kuki organization for Human Rights pic.twitter.com/kY13UPsTri
— Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) September 9, 2024
Operating from six major cities, Truth Labs has handled over 25,000 cases and enjoys recognition from the Supreme Court, High Courts, and various government and private entities. Its advisory board includes distinguished figures like former Chief Justice of India M.N. Venkatachaliah. The lab’s adherence to international standards (ISO 9001:2015 and ISO/IEC 17025:2017) ensures the legal admissibility of its reports.
Given the lab’s impeccable reputation, neither the state nor the opposition can easily dismiss its findings.
Why Manipur CM Should Be Worried:
- If Innocent, Why Not Have the Tape Examined?
If CM Biren Singh were truly innocent, why did he not voluntarily submit the controversial tape for forensic examination? An independent analysis could have cleared his name and dispelled any doubts surrounding the authenticity of the audio. - Failure to Sue the Online Publication:
The online news outlet that first published the tape’s existence has not been sued for defamation by the Manipur government. If the tape were indeed fabricated, legal action could have been taken to challenge its validity and hold the publication accountable. - Probe Commission’s Inaction:
Despite the serious allegations raised by the audio, the Justice Lamba Commission, set up to investigate the violence, failed to take immediate action on the tape. The State Government had a chance to urge the Commission to get the tape examined. - Opposition to Supreme Court Examination:
The Manipur government vehemently opposed the appeal tin the Supreme Court o have the tape examined by an independent body. This resistance to third-party scrutiny raises doubts about the government’s willingness to engage in an unbiased investigation. -
🗓️24/Oct
❗️Kuki Body seeks court-monitored sit probe into leaked audio tapes purported to be of CM N.Biren Singh.
❗️Kuki MLAs urge governor to intervene and reject unconstitutional HAC recommendation.
❗️SC: 42 sits assigned to review cases not handed over to CBI in Manipur… pic.twitter.com/rVV8d2fCUb— Thingkho Le Malcha (@KSO_tlm) October 25, 2024
Allegations and Challenges
In August 2024, an audio recording surfaced, allegedly featuring N. Biren Singh making statements that could be interpreted as inciting ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities. The 48-minute clip reportedly captures Singh discussing the use of bombs and his interactions with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. In the recording, Singh purportedly recounts Shah questioning him about deploying bombs, to which Singh responds affirmatively, followed by laughter. He then claims that after Shah instructed him to cease using bombs, he covertly continued their use.
Additionally, the audio allegedly revealed Singh expressing skepticism about the reported rape of two Kuki-Zo women, despite acknowledging the authenticity of related photographs. He is heard questioning the evidence of the assault and suggesting that the Meitei community should have taken credit for rescuing and assisting the victims.
The Manipur government vehemently denied the authenticity of the audio, labeling it as “doctored” and accusing certain groups of attempting to incite communal violence and derail peace efforts. The government has initiated an investigation into the origins of the recording and warned of legal action against those involved in its dissemination.
In response to the controversy, ten Kuki-Zo MLAs called for the prosecution of Chief Minister Biren Singh, citing the alleged complicity suggested by the audio.
Plea in Supreme Court
Bhushan has all along argued that the audio recordings reveal Singh admitting to fueling insurgency and shielding those who looted arms during the violence. “He allowed arms and ammunition to be looted. How can the state investigate this?” Bhushan questioned, expressing skepticism over the state government’s impartiality.
On November 7, 2024, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Central government, opposed the plea for a probe into the tape, asserting that it aimed to “keep the fire burning.” He insisted that ongoing investigations were underway and suggested that the petitioners should have approached the High Court instead.
Justice Delayed: Whistleblower’s Claims
Bhushan emphasized that the audio clips had been submitted to the Justice Lamba Commission in July 2024, a state-appointed body investigating the Manipur violence. However, no action had been taken for four months, prompting the need for urgent intervention by the apex court.
Supreme Court’s Response
Despite Mehta’s objections, the Supreme Court, led by then Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, decided to examine the authenticity of the audio tapes. The court asked Bhushan to provide material evidence to support the allegations. The whistleblower who initially submitted the audio recordings to the Justice Lamba Commission claimed that no action had been taken for four months.
As the case unfolds, the Truth Labs report is expected to play a critical role in determining Biren Singh’s political future and uncovering the truth behind the allegations.
