SC Orders Fresh Probe Into Manipur Tapes, Questions Report

IMPHAL: The Supreme Court on Monday expressed grave concerns over the authenticity of a sealed cover report submitted by the Union government concerning leaked audio tapes allegedly involving former Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh.

These recordings reportedly contain admissions by Singh, suggesting that the ethnic violence in Manipur was instigated at his behest. In a major turn of events, the top court directed the government to make sure that the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) re-analyzes the audio tapes and comes up with a new, reliable report.

A bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar unequivocally declared that the current forensic report was not reliable. The judges expressed their unhappiness after going through the sealed cover presented by the government, questioning the authenticity of its content. Speaking to Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, the bench said, "What is this? You have to talk to your officers about it. Read the content and then talk to the officers.". Please review and submit a new report." Their remarks indicated the judiciary's strong position that no person, regardless of rank, should be exempt from scrutiny.

Solicitor General Mehta told the court that he had not read the report himself and was hence not in a position to comment on its contents. But the court again emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in such a delicate case, particularly one involving charges connected with communal violence and loss of life.

The court was entertaining a plea filed by the Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust through senior counsel Prashant Bhushan. The plea asks the court to monitor an SIT inquiry into what was reportedly divulged by the leaked tapes. The plea suggests that audio cassettes carry incriminatory material involving the involvement of the then-Chief Minister in inciting violent Meitei-Kuki community clashes.

The ethnic violence, which broke out in May 2023 and continued until February this year, left a scar on Manipur. The long conflict took over 230 lives and displaced thousands. With the gravity of the charges and the far-reaching consequences of the violence, the Supreme Court directive indicates a firm thrust towards unbiased investigation and justice.

By ordering a new forensic analysis, the court has delivered a loud message emphasizing its determination to follow the rule of law, be transparent, and deliver justice even in the presence of grave communal unrest. The next few weeks will be telling as the CFSL reexamines the evidence, possibly changing the narrative on one of the most disputed political scandals in recent history.

ALSO READ:

ALSO WATCH: