The Central Government has submitted before the Supreme Court of India that the forensic analysis of audio clips allegedly linked to former Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh is complete. The government stated that the forensic report is ready and will be placed before the Court in a sealed cover.

“The forensic report on the authenticity of the audio clips has been prepared and will be submitted to the Hon’ble Court,” the Centre informed the bench.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar acknowledged the submission made by the government and decided to adjourn the matter to the week starting May 5. The matter pertains to a petition filed by the Kuki Organization for Human Rights Trust, which has sought a Court-monitored investigation into the controversial audio recordings.

The petition alleges that the leaked audio tapes contain the voice of former Chief Minister Biren Singh and implicate him in relation to the ongoing ethnic conflict in Manipur.

Earlier in February 2024, the Supreme Court had asked the Central Forensic Sciences Laboratory (CFSL) to verify the authenticity of the tapes. During that hearing, Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the petitioner, submitted that Truth Labs, an independent private forensic agency, had already verified the audio tapes as authentic.

“Truth Labs has examined the clips and confirmed their authenticity,” Advocate Prashant Bhushan told the Court.

The controversy comes amid a period of severe unrest in the northeastern State. In February this year, President's Rule was imposed in Manipur, almost two years after ethnic violence first erupted in the region. The decision to implement direct central rule came just days after Biren Singh tendered his resignation as Chief Minister.

The petition under consideration is titled KUKI ORGANIZATION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS TRUST vs UNION OF INDIA | W.P.(C) No. 702/2024. It seeks an impartial probe into the allegations emerging from the audio recordings, which, according to the petitioners, raise serious concerns about the former Chief Minister’s involvement.

The Supreme Court is expected to take up the matter again in May, where the forensic findings submitted by the Centre may play a crucial role in determining the next course of action.

“The matter is deferred to the week commencing May 5,” the Court stated.