The Supreme Court has shown its determination to investigate leaked audio clips purportedly implicating former Manipur CM Biren Singh, directing the Solicitor General to submit a re-examined forensic report and stressing that no individual involved in the communal violence will be protected.
BY PC Bureau
“What is this FSL report?” the Supreme Court bench, headed by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, asked the Solicitor General, Tushar Mehta, clearly frowning at the contents of the sealed cover regarding the forensic analysis of audio tapes allegedly featuring former Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. The Court underlined its resolve to not protect any individual “involved in wrongdoings in relation to the communal violence” that erupted in Manipur in May 2023.
The bench, also comprising Justice Sanjay Kumar, was hearing a petition filed by the Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust, which sought a court-monitored investigation into these leaked audio clips. The petitioners claim these tapes contain evidence implicating Singh in actions related to the ethnic violence that has plagued Manipur.
Solicitor General Mehta, appearing for the central government, questioned the credibility of the KOHUR, calling it a “rookie” group. The court, however, dismissed such arguments, stressing, “We are not concerned. Let us ignore the petitioner… but if something wrong has been done, we don’t have to protect the wrongdoer.” This firm stance underscored the bench’s commitment to uncovering any potential wrongdoing, regardless of the petitioner’s background.
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Mehta had presented the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report in a sealed cover, advocating for the continuation of the ongoing investigation, stating that “peace is prevailing” in the region. However, Chief Justice Khanna’s pointed question indicated the court’s dissatisfaction with the report’s quality or substance, particularly in relation to the crucial audio evidence.
Supreme Court Seeks Fresh Forensic Report On Audio Clips Against Ex-Manipur CM Biren Singh |@TheBeshbaha #SupremeCourtOfIndia #Manipur #SupremeCourt https://t.co/RqODXasAqw
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Mehta admitted he had not personally examined the report’s contents. The Chief Justice then instructed him to “read the content and then talk to the offices, please examine and bring a fresh report,” indicating the court’s demand for a revised and more thorough submission related to the Biren Singh audio tapes.
The court’s subsequent order formalized this directive, stating that after reviewing the sealed FSL report, the Solicitor General was to obtain instructions for filing a re-examined report. The matter was scheduled for further hearing in the week commencing July 21, 2025, with the existing investigation to continue in the interim.
Advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing the petitioner, raised a significant point of contention: the investigation was being conducted by the state police, which he argued could potentially be biased, given that the investigation was directed towards the former Chief Minister. “This is supposed to be the investigation against the former CM,” Bhushan stressed, highlighting the sensitivity surrounding the Biren Singh audio tapes.
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However, Chief Justice Khanna declined to stay the ongoing investigation, stating, “Mr. Bhushan, we are not staying that, we have seen the report.” He then sought to address Bhushan’s concerns by highlighting the recent imposition of President’s Rule in Manipur, suggesting this would serve as a safeguard against potential bias. “Now we have President’s Rule over there, so that will take care of your argument,” the Chief Justice asserted. He further reassured Bhushan, “Mr. Bhushan, we are aware, we have said what we wanted to say, we are very conscious of the fact, we have given a very short date because of that.”
The court’s decision to expedite the hearing, scheduling it for July 2025, underscores the urgency it attaches to the matter, especially concerning the Biren Singh audio tapes and its clear resolve to hold any wrongdoers accountable for the Manipur violence.
The genesis of this case lies in earlier proceedings where the Supreme Court had directed the submission of the FSL report following the petitioner’s submission of an analysis from Truth Labs, a private forensic laboratory, which claimed the audio clips were authentic. The court had initially asked the petitioner to provide more substantial evidence regarding the clips’ authenticity.
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The imposition of President’s Rule in Manipur in February, shortly after Biren Singh’s resignation, occurred nearly two years after the eruption of ethnic violence that destabilized the state. This political development adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing legal proceedings, as the court seeks to navigate the delicate balance between ensuring a fair investigation of the Biren Singh audio tapes and addressing the volatile situation in Manipur, all while maintaining its commitment to not shielding anyone involved in the communal violence.
