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SC seeks report on Manipur CM’s ‘role’ in ethnic violence

The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Central Forensic Sciences Laboratory (CFSL) to submit a sealed-cover report on the authenticity of “leaked audio tapes” that allegedly suggested Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh’s role in ethnic violence that has claimed...
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The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Central Forensic Sciences Laboratory (CFSL) to submit a sealed-cover report on the authenticity of “leaked audio tapes” that allegedly suggested Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh’s role in ethnic violence that has claimed more than 200 lives in the state.

Asking the CFSL to submit its report in six weeks, a Bench of Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar posted the petition filed by the Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR) for hearing on March 24.

Noting that the state was gradually limping back to normalcy, the CJI said, “We will keep it on hold at the moment.”

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Justice Kumar, a former Chief Justice of the Manipur High Court, said, “The Chief Minister of Manipur had hosted a dinner for me when I was elevated to this court, so if you have an issue with me hearing the matter then you can tell me.” Prashant Bhushan, who represented the KOHUR, said he did not have any objection.

The audio clips had been sent for examination by the CFSL. The Bench said it would take a call if the matter should be heard by the top court or the Manipur High Court.

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As Bhushan said the transcripts were “very serious” and implicated the CM, CJI Khanna said he had not gone through it. Bhushan said Truth Labs having far more expertise and credibility than the CFSL confirmed that it was Biren Singh’s voice in the tapes.

However, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta questioned the credibility of Truth Labs, saying it was run by private individuals. Alleging that the petitioner had some ideological inclinations, Mehta said the Justice Gita Mittal Committee appointed by the top court has filed reports saying “these civil society organisations wanted to keep the pot boiling”.

Noting that an FIR was lodged in August and the petition was filed in November last year, the Solicitor General said, “Whatever they (petitioner) have supplied has been sent to the CFSL and a report is awaited. Whoever has uploaded (it) on their X account, we have approached them also (asking) if you have the original, please give it to us so that (its authenticity can be checked).”

“We are careful. At the same time, I don’t know the contents of the transcripts, and its veracity also. That’s for you people to examine… Let the FSL report come,” the CJI said.

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