SC directs Centre to send full audio clip linked to ex-CM Biren Singh for forensic probe

The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Union government to forward the entire audio recording allegedly linked to former Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh to the National Forensic Sciences University in Gujarat for forensic examination in connection with allegations relating to the ethnic violence that erupted in Manipur in the year 2023.
As reported in the Hindu, a Bench headed by Justice Sanjay Kumar questioned the Centre on why the complete audio clip had not been sent earlier for forensic analysis. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the government, informed the court that the full recording, running for about forty eight minutes, was received only after the previous hearing held in December, adding that it had not been made available earlier despite repeated enquiries.
Appearing for the Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust, advocates Prashant Bhushan and Cheryl d’Souza submitted that the transcript of the entire recording had already been placed on record before the court along with the petition.
The Bench directed the petitioner to provide the full audio clip to the government and instructed the Centre to forward it to the forensic university for expedited examination, with the report to be submitted in a sealed cover.
The petitioners stated that while about fifty six minutes of audio existed, only forty eight minutes were submitted to protect the identity and safety of the whistleblower. They have sought a probe by an independent Special Investigation Team into the contents of the recording.