New Delhi, May 5 (UNI) The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Union government to submit a fresh Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report after expressing dissatisfaction with the existing CFSL analysis of leaked audio clips allegedly implicating former Manipur chief minister N. Biren Singh in the State’s ethnic violence.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar was hearing a plea filed by the Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust, which has sought a court-monitored investigation into the controversial audio tapes said to feature the voice of the former CM.
During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted a sealed cover containing the CFSL report and urged the court not to escalate the situation further. “Let the investigation go on… peace is prevailing,” Mehta said, suggesting that even the high court could examine the report.
However, after perusing the contents, CJI Sanjiv Khanna expressed dissatisfaction. “Mr Mehta, you have to talk to the offices… What is this FSL report?” he remarked.
The SG admitted he had not read the contents. In response, the CJI directed: “Read the content and then talk to the offices… please examine and bring a fresh report.”
The court then passed the order saying. “SG lists before us in sealed cover a copy of the FSL report, sealed cover was opened, and we have seen the report”.
SG will obtain instructions on filing a fresh FSL report after re-examination.
Relist in the week commencing July 21, 2025. In the meantime, it is stated by the SG that the investigation will continue.”
Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the petitioner, objected that the investigation was still being handled by the state police. He pressed for a stay on the ongoing probe and reiterated that the case involved serious allegations against the former chief minister.
CJI Khanna declined to halt the investigation, noting, “Mr Bhushan, we are not staying that. We have seen the report.” He reassured the petitioner that with the President’s rule now in place in Manipur, concerns of bias should be allayed. “Now we have President’s rule over there, so that will take care of your argument.”
The CJI concluded by stating that the court was fully conscious of the sensitivity of the matter and had therefore fixed an early next hearing date.
Previously, in February, the apex court had asked for a CFSL analysis of the tapes after the petitioners submitted a report from private forensic agency Truth Labs, which claimed the tapes were genuine.
The President’s rule was imposed in Manipur the same month, and N. Biren Singh resigned days before the proclamation.
