Supreme Court Told Alleged Biren Singh Audio Was Tampered With, Centre Cites NFSU Forensic Report

August 7, 2026 : The Union Government on Friday informed the Supreme Court that an audio recording allegedly linking former Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh to the 2023 ethnic violence had been manipulated and could not be treated as reliable evidence. Relying on a forensic examination conducted by the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU), Gandhinagar, the Centre argued that the recording showed multiple signs of editing and alteration.

The submission was made before a Bench of Justices Sanjay Kumar and Sanjeev Sachdeva while hearing a writ petition filed by the Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust, which has sought a court-monitored investigation into the alleged audio recordings.

Appearing for the Union Government, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati referred to the NFSU’s forensic report and submitted that the audio files produced by the petitioner contained several edits and inconsistencies. She further informed the Court that even the extended version of the recording, which was later placed before the Bench, exhibited clear indications of tampering. On the basis of these findings, the Centre urged the Supreme Court to dismiss the petition with costs.

The petition is based on an audio recording purportedly featuring Biren Singh allegedly admitting to playing a role in the Manipur ethnic violence and protecting individuals accused of looting weapons during the unrest. The petitioner had initially relied on a recording of around 48 minutes before subsequently producing a longer version exceeding two hours.

Earlier in the proceedings, the Supreme Court had directed the National Forensic Sciences University to examine the complete audio after expressing concern that the shorter recording appeared to be incomplete. The forensic laboratory was asked to determine whether the recording had been edited or manipulated and whether the voice in the audio matched the admitted voice samples of the former Chief Minister.

During Friday’s hearing, senior advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the petitioner, relied on an earlier forensic assessment prepared by Truth Labs. According to that report, there was a high probability that the voice in the recording belonged to Biren Singh. Bhushan urged the Bench to consider the Truth Labs report while evaluating the matter.

After taking note of the NFSU findings, the Supreme Court directed that copies of the six-page forensic report dated July 30, 2026, be supplied to both the petitioner and the Union Government. The Bench observed that both parties should have a fair opportunity to examine and respond to the report before the matter is decided.

The Court has adjourned the case for further hearing. It is expected to consider the conflicting forensic opinions of NFSU and Truth Labs before determining the future course of the proceedings on the plea seeking an independent investigation into the alleged audio recordings.