BY PC Bureau
In a high-stakes hearing on Monday (February 3), advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing the Kuki Organization for Human Rights Trust, claimed that forensic analysis conducted by Truth Labs confirmed with over 93% certainty that the voice in audio recordings belongs to Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh. The tapes allegedly capture Singh during a closed-door meeting, where he purportedly admitted to allowing Meitei groups to loot the state armoury and shielding them from arrest.
#ManipurTapes | Did CM Biren Singh Kickstart #ManipurViolence? The Wire Investigation
The tapes, part of a larger investigation by @sangbarooahpish, raise serious questions about the govt’s involvement in the deepening communal divide in the region.@TheOtherKaskar pic.twitter.com/6T81nLP0ZQ
— The Wire (@thewire_in) August 23, 2024
“This is a grave issue. The Chief Minister of a state instigating and abetting ethnic violence cannot be ignored,” Bhushan told the bench comprising Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar. The recordings were reportedly made by an attendee of the meeting and later leaked, Bhushan explained.
Supreme Court Orders Forensic Examination
The Supreme Court ordered the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) to examine the audio tapes and submit its findings in a sealed cover by March 24, 2025. “We are keeping the preliminary objections open for later consideration,” CJI Khanna said, after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the State, argued that the petitioner should have approached the High Court first.
ALSO READ:Â SC Seeks Forensic Report on Audio Tapes Linking Biren Singh to Ethnic Violence
Truth Labs vs Government Forensics
Bhushan insisted that the Truth Labs report, an independent forensic analysis, carried more credibility than any government investigation. “It is a credible and unbiased analysis, confirming the voice to be that of Chief Minister Biren Singh. This report demands urgent judicial action,” he said, emphasizing the severity of the allegations.
Solicitor General Mehta countered Bhushan’s claims, stating that an investigation was underway, FIRs had been registered, and the audio clips had already been sent for forensic examination by CFSL. He also mentioned that social media accounts that disseminated the tapes were being approached for verification.
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Background on Manipur’s Ethnic Clashes
Manipur has been grappling with ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities since early 2023. The unrest began with protests over the demand for Scheduled Tribe status by the Meitei community, leading to widespread violence, arson, and fatalities. Reports suggest that state armouries were looted, escalating the conflict and deepening mistrust among the communities.
We stand firmly with the chairman of Kuki Organization for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR), Pu. @BenjaminMate1, who's working incessantly to expose the truth about #ManipurTapes. It's highly deplorable that @Ccpur_Police & Tengnoupal police is hounding an innocent civilian.@pbhushan1 pic.twitter.com/FuSXlRWYvc
— Ravinder Kapur. (@RavinderKapur2) February 2, 2025
The case stems from a writ petition filed by the Kuki Organization for Human Rights Trust, seeking an independent investigation into the audio recordings and accountability for the state’s role in the ethnic clashes. Previously, a bench led by then-Chief Justice DY Chandrachud had directed the petitioner to produce material indicating the authenticity of the audio clips. Following this, Bhushan presented the Truth Labs report.
The Supreme Court’s decision to seek forensic verification by CFSL marks a critical development in the ongoing investigation into Manipur’s ethnic violence. All eyes will now be on the forensic findings, which may have significant implications for the state administration.
