Manipur Violence Audio Leaks: Supreme Court Seeks Fresh Forensic Report
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday (May 5) demanded a fresh Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report after examining the report submitted by the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) on the authenticity of audio clips allegedly implicating former Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh in the State’s ethnic violence.
While hearing the petition filed by Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR), the Bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Sanjay Kumar informed Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to obtain instructions from the Central Government on submitting a fresh FSL report.
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“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…. In the meanwhile, it is also stated by the learned SG that investigation will continue…,” the Live Law quotes the Court order.
Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for NGO stated that petition sought for a court-monitored probe by a Special Investigation Team into leaked audio clips. When Court mentioned the existence of President’s rule in Manipur, advocate mentioned that it may not be enough.
In the earlier hearing, the senior lawyer stated that the audio tapes were examined by Truth Labs, which confirmed that over 93 percent of the voice belongs to Biren Singh. However, Solicitor General attempted to dismiss the submission by claiming that Truth Labs was a private organisation. In response, Bhushan stated that its reports were widely used in court as evidence.
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“Chief Minister of Manipur [now the former] was instrumental in inciting, organising and thereafter centrally orchestrating the large-scale murder, destruction and other form of violence against the Kuki-dominated areas in Manipur”, The Hindu reports, as the NGO also represented by advocate Cheryl D’Souza, is saying.
The petition further claims that the recorded conversation apparently shows the “complicity and the involvement” of the State machinery in violence against KukiZo community.
The Court will hear the matter again in the week commencing July 21.
