In a crucial development in the probe into the 2023 Manipur violence, the Supreme Court considered the possibility of obtaining a direct voice sample of former Chief Minister N Biren Singh after forensic agencies reported their inability to authenticate an alleged audio clip.
The controversy centres around an audio recording submitted by a rights group, purportedly linking the former Chief Minister to events surrounding the ethnic violence. The clip, however, was found to be edited, making it difficult for forensic experts to conclusively determine its authenticity or match the voice. The Petitioner maintained that portions were trimmed only to protect the identity of the whistleblower who recorded the conversation, while insisting that critical segments remained intact. On the other hand, concerns were raised regarding the evidentiary value of a privately recorded and altered conversation, especially when consent and completeness were in question. The impasse deepened as forensic institutions repeatedly expressed limitations in delivering a definitive opinion.
The Division Bench of Justice Sanjay Kumar and Justice Vinod Chandran flagged the continuing uncertainty, noting the lack of conclusive findings despite multiple forensic examinations. The Court observed that further clarity was essential, directing the Union to ascertain whether a direct voice sample could aid comparison. It also pressed the petitioner on the completeness of the material, asking, “Why don’t you give full recording?” The Bench emphasised that without an unaltered version or reliable comparison, the truth behind the recording would remain unresolved.
Consequently, the Court directed both sides to explore submission of the original audio and requirements for further forensic analysis, listing the matter for continued consideration.
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