Forensic Report Finds Tapes on ex-Manipur CM Tampered
The Supreme Court on Monday told a Kuki rights organization that a confidential report prepared by the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) Gandhinagar had concluded that audio tapes allegedly containing telephone conversations of former Manipur chief minister N. Biren Singh inciting ethnic violence were “altered, edited and tampered with”.
The National Forensic Science Laboratory (NFSL) told the court that audio recordings in the case of Singh’s alleged involvement in the 2023 Manipur ethnic clashes were not scientifically suitable for voice comparison. Therefore, he was unable to provide any insight into the similarity or difference between the queried voice and the control voice.
The finding was made during the hearing of a plea seeking a court-monitored investigation into report tapes of violence in Manipur.
After reviewing the sealed report of the NFSL, the bench of Justice Sanjay Kumar and Justice Alok Aradhe directed that its final findings be communicated to the parties and listed the matter for further hearing on December 8.
Justice Kumar read from the NFSL report: “The four exhibits showed signs of alteration and tampering. They therefore concluded that the clips were altered, were not original source recordings and were not scientifically suitable for forensic audio comparison.”
Appearing on behalf of the petitioner, Kuki Human Rights Foundation Organizationadvocate Prashant Bhushan Reference was made to a separate forensic analysis by . Truth LaboratoriesIt found that there was a 93 percent probability that the voice in a 50-minute unedited recording (marked Y1) matched Singh’s.
Justice Kumar said the petitioner will get a copy of the NFSL report to submit a detailed response.
When Bhushan pointed out that Truth Labs had a reliable record, Justice Kumar said: “We don’t know, because this (NFSL) is supposed to be the leading forensic laboratory.”
“Yes, but this is a government laboratory and your Lordships know this that the government today…” He added that the matter remained uninvestigated for over a year despite the “very damaging conversations” contained in the tapes.
Chief Lawyer Tushar MehtaHe said the NFSL, which represents the Union government, had confirmed the tampering of records and appealed against further interference, adding that “the situation in the state is quite peaceful at present”.
The panel concluded the hearing by ordering that copies of NFSL’s final report be provided to both parties before the next hearing date. 8 December.
