Ukhrul, April 19: In the latest hearing regarding the authenticity of leaked audio clips, allegedly of N Biren Singh, the Centre informed the Supreme Court on April 17 that the forensic report on the tapes is ready and will be submitted shortly in a sealed cover.
On February 3, 2025, during a prior hearing, the Supreme Court had instructed the Central Forensic Science Laboratory to provide its report, sealed, before the next hearing. The case was filed by the Kuki Organization for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR) under Case No. WP(C) No. 702/2024, titled Kuki Organization for Human Rights Trust vs. Union of India.
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A Bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna noted the submissions from both the Centre and the State government, deferring the next hearing to the week commencing May 5.
Prashant Bhushan, representing the petitioner KOHUR, stated that the audio clips were examined by Truth Labs—the country’s only fully independent forensic science laboratory based in Delhi—which certified that the voice in the clips matched that of N. Biren Singh with 93% accuracy. He informed the court that the recording captured a closed-door meeting where the former Chief Minister was heard saying that he ensured protection for the Meitei community against arrest and allowed them to steal from the state armory.
“A truth lab confirmed that it is 93% the voice of the Chief Minister, and truth labs are far more reliable than the FSL reports,” Prashant Bhushan said.
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N. Biren Singh is accused of orchestrating the deadly communal conflict in May 2023 that resulted in over 200 fatalities and displaced thousands in Manipur. In a viral audio leak, allegedly of N. Biren Singh, he was heard claiming to have orchestrated the conflict and discussing the covert use of bombs when confronted by Home Minister Amit Shah.