New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India on Monday sought a forensic report in a sealed cover to verify the authenticity of leaked audio clips that allegedly implicate Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh in the ongoing ethnic violence in the state.
A bench consisting of Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar directed the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) to submit the report within six weeks.
The court also scheduled the next hearing for March 24, regarding the petition filed by the Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR).
KOHUR, represented by advocate Prashant Bhushan, has requested the court to oversee a special investigation team (SIT) probe into the chief minister’s alleged role in the violence.
Justice Sanjay Kumar, formerly the Chief Justice of the Manipur High Court before his elevation to the Supreme Court, noted, “The chief minister of Manipur had hosted a dinner for me when I was elevated to this court, so if you have any objections to me hearing the matter, please let me know.”
Bhushan responded that he had no issue with the judge continuing to hear the case.
“The state is slowly returning to normalcy, and we will hold the matter in abeyance for now,” the Chief Justice remarked.
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The bench will later decide whether the case should be heard by the Supreme Court or the Manipur High Court.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the state, concurred with the observations made by the bench.
However, Bhushan stressed that the contents of the audio clips were a “serious issue” that warranted attention.
