New Delhi: The Supreme Court has said that it will examine the audio recording which allegedly points to the role of Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh in the communal violence in the state.
The audio recording – ostensibly of a meeting held at Biren’s official residence in 2023 – which was submitted to the Union home ministry-established Commission of Inquiry on the violence in Manipur were reported on by The Wire‘s Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty earlier this year.
The Wire was unable to independently establish that the person heard speaking on the recording about the violence in Manipur is indeed Biren Singh, but confirmed the date, subject and contents of this meeting with some of the participants, none of whom was willing to be identified because of fears for their safety.
Among several incendiary statements heard on the audio recording is the claim that at least two Meitei outfits banned under the UAPA were brought together with security forces, that the use of lethally destructive ammunition was supported and that there was no proof that two Kuki women paraded naked on a viral tape were raped.
Read the ‘Manipur Tapes’ reports in parts: 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
Manipur has seen a year-and-a-half of ethnic strife now, leading to the deaths of 226 people, several thousands displaced and the state divided along communal lines.
Bar and Bench has reported that the petitioner in this case is the Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust, represented by advocate Prashant Bhushan. Bhushan noted that since the tapes contain recordings of Biren allegedly claiming he “fuelled insurgency and protected those who looted the arms,” the Manipur government cannot investigate the audio clips.
A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud and Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra have sought details on the tape to prove its authenticity.
“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 bench said.
The court’s decision to investigate the tapes came despite Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Union government, “vehemently objecting to the plea,” according to Bar and Bench.
“Probe is going on. CM met all the Kuki MLAs to ensure peace and whistleblower do not want peace. Intention is to keep the fire burning,” SG Mehta said.
Mehta also entered into an exchange with the CJI over being at a distance from Manipur – and thus not having a real picture of things. Bar and Bench reported the following exchange as such:
“We have a porous border and we do not know what is there on the ground. It is because my lords are in ivory towers. I mean not in any pejorative sense,” SG Mehta said.
“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.