Justice delayed? The Supreme Court today questioned the CFSL’s months-long delay in verifying tapes linked to Manipur’s ethnic violence, warning against shielding political wrongdoing. The government now has just two weeks to submit the overdue report.
BY Navin Upadhyay
August 4, 2025 – Supreme Court Criticizes Delay in CFSL Report on Biren Singh Audio Tapes Amid Mounting Public Frustration
In a pointed hearing today, the Supreme Court of India expressed concern over the inordinate delay by the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) in submitting its forensic analysis of audio recordings allegedly featuring former Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. The case, tied to the ethnic violence that erupted in the state in May 2023, has gained national attention for its grave implications and the disturbing content of the alleged tapes.
The government, represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, informed the bench—comprising Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar—that the CFSL report was still pending, citing vague “technical reasons,” even though the Court had ordered a revised analysis over two months ago.
“What happened to the forensic report? That should have come at least. This order was passed in May 2025. Three months have passed. By now, the forensic report laboratory must have given you a report. At least tell us whether the report has come or it’s still in the pipeline,” the bench said.
When the Counsel responded that the report had not come, Justice Kumar questioned the delay. He said: “How long does it take FSL to give a definite report on the analysis of the voice? We will pass it over. This can’t go endlessly
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The court granted the government a final two-week extension, with the next hearing now scheduled for August 19, 2025. However, the bench did not hide its displeasure with the repeated delays and lack of urgency in addressing allegations of such serious nature, especially when an earlier report from private forensic agency Truth Labs had been completed in just 15 days.
The contrast between Truth Labs’ swift submission—certifying a 93% probability that the voice in the leaked tapes belonged to Singh—and CFSL’s prolonged silence, has triggered widespread speculation and skepticism. While the government dismissed the Truth Labs report on the grounds that it is a private institution, the delay by the CFSL, a central agency under the Ministry of Home Affairs, has invited accusations of bureaucratic foot-dragging and possible political shielding.
Advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing the petitioner Kuki Organization for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR), strongly criticized the delay, calling it “unjustifiable and suspicious.” He argued that such inaction undermines public faith in institutional neutrality, especially since the Manipur Police—previously under Singh’s control—remains involved in the investigation.
“The Truth Labs report was submitted within two weeks. Why is the CFSL, with far greater resources, taking months? This raises serious questions,” Bhushan told the bench.
Background: Explosive Allegations and Public Outcry
The case stems from a writ petition filed by KOHUR, a non-profit working for Kuki-Zo rights. The petition cites audio recordings allegedly capturing Singh—in a closed-door meeting—admitting to enabling ethnic attacks and giving Meitei groups the green light to loot armories and avoid arrest.
While Singh resigned on February 9, 2025, following mounting political pressure and BJP infighting, the state and central governments have consistently dismissed the tapes as “fabricated” and part of a “malicious campaign.”
In November 2024, the Supreme Court directed KOHUR to verify the tapes’ authenticity. The Truth Labs report, chaired by former Chief Justice M.N. Venkatachaliah, concluded a high likelihood that Singh’s voice was in the recordings. However, Mehta rejected the findings, claiming that only CFSL’s analysis could be considered definitive.
The Court ordered CFSL to deliver a sealed report by March 24, 2025. After repeated delays, a report was finally submitted in May, but was deemed inconclusive by the bench. The Court then directed a fresh, thorough analysis—which is still awaited as of today.
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Chief Justice Khanna, while granting the extension, noted, “We understand technical constraints, but this cannot be open-ended. There must be accountability.” The bench stressed that delays, especially in such politically sensitive matters, erode public trust and weaken the justice system.
The delay has not gone unnoticed by the public. Posts on X (formerly Twitter) reflect growing disillusionment. Several Kuki-zo users condemned the delay as “a tactic to protect the powerful,” while Meitei groups have defended Singh, calling the allegations a “targeted witch-hunt,” while Kuki-Zo communities continue to demand justice and accountability.
The next hearing could prove decisive. If the CFSL report affirms the tapes’ authenticity, it may lead to criminal prosecution and deepen the political crisis in Manipur. Conversely, a finding of fabrication would bolster the government’s narrative of a conspiracy to destabilize the state and discredit the BJP.
Regardless of outcome, today’s proceedings once again spotlight the troubling pace of institutional response—particularly when private agencies have delivered timely results, while a key government lab remains stalled.
As Bhushan aptly summarized in court:
“Delay in justice, especially in cases of mass violence and political complicity, is nothing short of denial.”
