The Supreme Court has directed the National Forensic Science University in Gandhinagar to conduct a comprehensive forensic examination of a 48-minute leaked audio recording, allegedly implicating former Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh in the 2023 ethnic violence. A bench of Justices Sanjay Kumar and K Vinod Chandran ordered that the complete recording, along with admitted voice samples of Singh and other related materials provided by the petitioner, be submitted for analysis. The university has been instructed to expedite the process and deliver its report in a sealed cover.

This development follows concerns raised by the court over previous forensic assessments, where only partial clips were examined, leading to findings of tampering that rendered voice comparison inconclusive. Advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing the Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust, argued that the full unedited recording and its transcript had been available since the petition's filing. The Manipur government, through Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, stated that the complete audio was received only recently.

The petition by the Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust seeks an independent SIT investigation, alleging that the audio demonstrates state machinery involvement in orchestrating violence against the Kuki-Zo community. Earlier reports from the forensic university had indicated signs of editing in the submitted clips, prompting the court's intervention to ensure a thorough review of the entire material.

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N Biren Singh resigned as Chief Minister in February 2025 amid political pressure and ongoing unrest. The case stems from ethnic clashes that erupted in May 2023 between the Meitei and Kuki communities, triggered by protests over Scheduled Tribe status demands, resulting in over 260 deaths and widespread displacement.

The Supreme Court's latest order addresses prior discrepancies in the forensic process, aiming to clarify the authenticity of the recording that has fueled allegations of complicity in the prolonged conflict. The sealed report is expected to influence further proceedings on calls for accountability.

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