NEW DELHI, April 16: The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a crucial case on April 17th concerning alleged audio tapes that reportedly implicate former Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh in inciting the ethnic clashes of May 2023. The Kuki Organization for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR) is seeking a swift resolution and accountability.
On April 17, the Supreme Court will review alleged audio recordings where former Manipur CM Biren Singh is purportedly heard making inflammatory remarks linked to the state’s ethnic violence. KOHUR, the petitioner, hopes the hearing will bring truth and justice for the victims, especially after a forensic lab suggested the voice belongs to Singh.
The Supreme Court is set to hear a crucial case on April 17th, presented by the Kuki Organization for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR), concerning alleged audio tapes implicating former Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh in the ethnic violence that erupted on May 3, 2023. The case, KUKI ORGANIZATION FOR HUM… Vs. UNION OF INDIA AND ANR., is listed as Item No. 19 in Court No. 1.
KOHUR alleges these tapes contain Singh’s voice making inflammatory statements that fueled the conflict, which has resulted in over 200 deaths. Benjamin Mate, Chairman of KOHUR, expressed urgency, stating, “I have full faith in the judiciary. I can only pray that the SC will not allow Biren Singh and the central government to drag this case any longer.”
The Supreme Court previously directed the Central Forensic Sciences Laboratory (CFSL) to authenticate the tapes. Advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing KOHUR, cited a private forensic analysis by Truth Labs, which concluded with over 93% accuracy that the voice belongs to Singh. The recordings reportedly capture Singh admitting to authorizing Meitei groups to loot state armories and protecting them from arrest.
The Manipur government has dismissed the tapes as fabricated, accusing those spreading them of attempting to undermine peace efforts. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing Manipur, was instructed to submit the CFSL report.
The CFSL report is considered pivotal in determining the tapes’ authenticity and Singh’s potential culpability. Following a delay in the originally scheduled March 24th hearing, KOHUR requested an expedited listing, underscoring the case’s urgency. The Supreme Court has acknowledged the seriousness of the matter, emphasizing the need for a swift resolution.
