Guwahati: The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to examine certain audio recordings allegedly linking Manipur Chief Minister (CM) N Biren Singh to the communal violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities in the state.
The Court has directed the Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR), represented by advocate Prashant Bhushan, to submit audio tapes and other relevant material to substantiate its claim that the Manipur Chief Minister instigated the communal violence in the state, which led to the loss of many lives.
A Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra also sought details of the source of the tape and material.
“We grant the petitioner an opportunity to file material indicating the authenticity of the clip. The counsel says the clip shall also be submitted,” the apex court noted.
This was after advocate Prashant Bhushan said that the whistleblower had recorded conversation of the Chief Minister where he admits that “he fuelled insurgency and protected those who those who looted the arms.”
Objecting to the plea, Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Central government, said that the intention of the petitioner is to “keep the fire burning”.
“Probe is going on. CM met all the Kuki MLAs to ensure peace and whistleblower does not want peace. The intention is to keep the fire burning,” he said.
He said that the petitioners should approach the High Court.
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The Court, however, agreed to examine the tapes and the authenticity of it.
“We have a duty as a Constitutional court and we cannot brush things under the carpet. We also know what happened in Manipur. It is because we are not in ivory towers. That is why we are hearing it and did not dismiss this right away. Not the least Solicitor, not the least,” CJI Chandrachud replied.
The Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust is a human rights organization that filed a petition in the Supreme Court of India in October 2024. The petition seeks a court-monitored investigation into leaked audio clips of Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, which are alleged to show his involvement in the state’s ethnic conflict.
