An audio clip allegedly implicating former Manipur Chief Minister (CM) N Biren Singh in the communal violence of 2023 has been edited and it would be difficult to give a conclusive finding on whether the clip was authentic or not, the Supreme Court was informed on Monday.
A Bench of Justices Sanjay Kumar and Vinod Chandran was hearing a plea filed by the Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust, which had submitted the audio clips recorded by a whistleblower. In August 2025, the National Forensic Science University (NFSU) at Gujarat was assigned the task of verifying the clip's genuineness and finding out whether the voice heard on the clip was that of Biren Singh.
The NFSU reported that the audio clip was an edited version even if there was no deepfake or AI-based editing. It, therefore, expressed difficulties in giving a conclusive finding on whether the clip was authentic or whether the voice heard in the clip was that of Biren Singh. Taking note of the same, the court asked Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Aishwarya Bhati to get instructions on what NSFU may require further to verify the audio clip, including whether a direct voice sample from Singh would be necessary.
"The learned ASG shall ascertain as to why it was not possible for the university to undertake comparison of Exhibit A with the admitted voice recordings in Exhibit B, at least in relation to the untampered portions of the recordings. The learned ASG shall further ascertain whether it requires a direct voice sample of the individual (Singh) in question for the purpose of comparison," the court said.
Notably, the court also reiterated concerns that the 48-minute audio clip provided by a whistleblower in the matter was a truncated or cut version of the original recording."Why don't you give full recording?" the court asked counsel representing the Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust.
Bhushan suggested that the full, uncut clip could be be provided if measures are taken to keep the whistleblower's identity confidential. "They had removed some parts that will identify the person. I will ask my (source) as to whether the person who recorded the clip is willing to (give the full clip)… because obviously that would disclose his identity because his voice is also there. But as soon as his voice comes on record they will be able to identify him," Bhushan said.
However, Bhushan also maintained that substantial portions of the recording, where former Chief Minister Singh is heard making important statements, remain in the submitted recording. "The context can be clearly understood from those parts," Bhushan added.
The court eventually asked the Trust to find out whether the full audio tape can be provided for forensic analysis. The matter will be taken up next on April 30.
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