Cannot say if audio clips allegedly linked to Manipur violence that of ex-CM: forensics lab to SC

The National Forensic Science University laboratory has informed the Supreme Court that the audio clips allegedly linking former Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh to the ethnic violence in the state were tampered with and are not scientifically fit to compare the voice, Live Law reported on Monday.

Therefore, it cannot provide an opinion on whether the voice in the clips is that of Singh, the laboratory told the court.

The bench of Justices Sanjay Kumar and Alok Aradhe was hearing a petition filed by the Kuki Organization for Human Rights Trust, which has demanded an independent investigation into the audio clips purportedly featuring Singh’s voice.

In the recordings believed to be from 2023, a voice purported to be that of Singh is heard taking credit for “how and why the conflict started” bragging that he had defied Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s order against the use of “bombs” in the conflict and shielding individuals who snatched thousands of weapons from the state police armouries from arrest.

At least 260 persons have been killed and more than 59,000 persons displaced since the ethnic clashes broke out between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo-Hmar communities in May 2023. There were periodic upticks in violence in 2024.

President’s Rule was imposed in February after Singh resigned as the chief minister.

The laboratory told the court that four exhibits had shown signs of modification...

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