Centre Challenges Audio Evidence Against Former Manipur CM
The Central Government has informed the Supreme Court that audio recordings purportedly linking former Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh to the ethnic violence in Manipur have been manipulated. This revelation was presented in the ongoing case of Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust v. Union of India.
Forensic Analysis Reveals Alterations
The assertion was made by Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Aishwarya Bhati before a Supreme Court Bench comprising Justices Sanjay Kumar and Sanjeev Sachdeva. The National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, conducted the forensic analysis, which revealed multiple alterations in the audio clips.
ASG Bhati Urges Dismissal of Petition
ASG Bhati argued for the dismissal of the petition filed by the Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust. The petition alleged that Biren Singh had confessed in a recording to instigating insurgency and shielding looters during the clashes. Bhati emphasized the forensic lab’s findings of 41 alterations in even the extended audio clip provided by the petitioner, describing it as manipulated.
NFSU’s Comprehensive Examination
Originally, the petitioner submitted a 48-minute clip to support its claims. In August 2025, the NFSU was tasked with verifying the authenticity of the recording and whether the voice belonged to Biren Singh. The University determined the clip was truncated and edited, complicating a definitive conclusion on its authenticity or the speaker’s identity.
Court’s Direction for Full Audio Examination
The Court, noting the concerns about the original clip’s authenticity, directed the NFSU to examine the complete 2-hour and 26-minute audio recording. This examination was to include a voice comparison with admitted samples from Singh. With the NFSU’s report now filed, both parties have the opportunity to address its findings.
More Read
Petitioner’s Stand Supported by Truth Labs
Advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing the petitioner, referenced an earlier report by Truth Labs. According to Bhushan, Truth Labs found a 93% match between the voices in the recordings. He underscored the credibility of the report by the reputed forensic lab.
Court Orders Distribution of NFSU Report
The Supreme Court ordered that the NFSU’s six-page report, dated July 30, 2026, be provided to both the petitioner and the Centre’s counsel. The case has been adjourned, allowing both parties to examine the report in detail.
