Photo Courtesy: nenow
Imphal: The Indian government moved to toss a petition regarding leaked audio clips on August 7. The recordings allegedly implicate former Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh in the 2023 ethnic violence. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati presented a report from the National Forensic Sciences University in Gandhinagar to the Supreme Court bench of Justices Sanjay Kumar and Sanjeev Sachdeva.
The six-page report, dated July 30, 2026, was authored by Dr. Surbhi Mathur. It indicates the audio was doctored. Bhati stated that a Central Forensic Science Laboratory doctor identified 41 distinct alterations within the files. The government requested the court dismiss the petition with costs.
The Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust filed the case. They seek an independent investigation into the clips. These recordings purportedly capture Singh claiming he had "fuelled insurgency and protected those who looted the arms" during the conflict. The clashes between the Meitei community and Kuki people have claimed over 260 lives since May 2023.
Advocate Prashant Bhushan represented the petitioner. He pushed back against the NFSU findings. He cited an earlier report from the private firm Truth Labs, which allegedly found a "93 per cent match" between the speakers. Bhushan previously submitted a 48-minute clip and later a full two-hour and 26-minute version for analysis.
The court ordered that coloured copies of the NFSU report be distributed to all parties in a sealed cover. The bench ordered that the document must remain confidential. It cannot enter the public domain. Proceedings were adjourned to allow both sides to review the report.
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