Pertaining to the audio-recording case that implicates former Manipur CM N. Biren Singh, the Apex Court on Tuesday expressed dissatisfaction over the Central Forensic Science Laboratory’s (CFSL) handling and criticized the laboratory’s approach.
A bench of Justices Sanjay Kumar and Satish Chandra Sharma observed that the laboratory had carried out a “misdirected” exercise by attempting to verify the authenticity of the clips instead of focusing on the court’s direction. The matter has now been listed for further hearing on August 25.
Senior advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the petitioner Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR), reiterated the demand for a Special Investigation Team (SIT), pointing to CFSL’s administrative links with the government once led by Singh.
The court, however, observed that institutional credibility cannot be doubted merely on administrative grounds, though it suggested an overseas forensic agency could be considered if necessary.
Earlier, on May 5, a bench led by then Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna examined a forensic report on the leaked audio and directed Manipur to file a fresh report. On November 8 last year, a bench headed by former CJI D.Y. Chandrachud directed KOHUR to furnish material substantiating the authenticity of the leaked recordings.
