The Supreme Court today directed the National Forensic Science University (NFSU) in Ahmedabad to examine an alleged audio tape purportedly featuring former Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, following the Central Forensic Science Laboratory’s (CFSL) failure to authenticate it. The court has ordered NFSU to submit a voice comparison report in a sealed cover by November 9, 2025, when the case is next scheduled for hearing.
A bench of Justices Sanjay Kumar and Satish Chandra Sharma expressed frustration with the CFSL, which had previously admitted it could not verify the tape’s authenticity. The court clarified that it had only tasked CFSL with conducting a voice comparison test using N Biren Singh’s verified voice samples, not authenticating the recording itself. The bench criticized the CFSL’s efforts as “misdirected” during the August 19 hearing.
The controversy stems from an audio tape allegedly linked to former CM N Biren Singh, which led to his abrupt resignation from the CM post in Feb 2025. Kuki Organisation for Human Rights (KOHUR), represented by senior advocate Prashant Bhushan, has demanded a court-monitored SIT probe, citing a Truth Labs forensic report claiming a 93% probability that the voice in the tape belongs to Biren Singh.
The Manipur government and the Centre, represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, have dismissed the tape as “doctored” and questioned the credibility of Truth Labs’ findings.
A close aide of Biren Singh, speaking anonymously, defended the former chief minister, stating, “We have full faith in the Supreme Court and believe justice will prevail. The propaganda by KOHUR and its chairman, Benjamin Mate, is a vengeful attempt to target former CM N Biren for exposing illegal immigrants, forest encroachment and poppy cultivations in the Kuki dominated areas.”
The Supreme Court’s directive to NFSU aims to resolve the dispute over the tape’s authenticity, with the next hearing set for November 9, 2025.
Naorem Mohen is the Editor of Signpost News. Explore his views and opinion on X: @laimacha.
Naorem Mohen
View More PostsNaorem Mohen is the Editor of Signpost News. Explore his views and opinion on X: @laimacha.
