In a sharp and urgent tone, the Supreme Court of India expressed its dissatisfaction over the prolonged delay in the forensic analysis of audio recordings that allegedly link Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh to the outbreak of ethnic violence in the state.

A bench led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, along with Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, raised strong concerns on August 2, 2025, over the “inordinate delay” in submitting the forensic findings of the controversial audio clips that reportedly contain incriminating material against the Manipur CM.

“This cannot go on endlessly. Either there is a report or there is none. If there’s a delay, it must be justified with concrete reasons,” the CJI remarked, underscoring the critical need for accountability in a matter that has already cost hundreds of lives and displaced thousands.

The case revolves around a set of viral audio tapes that surfaced earlier this year, allegedly featuring conversations that suggest the active or complicit involvement of CM N. Biren Singh in escalating ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur.

Following public outcry and media coverage, a plea was moved before the apex court seeking an independent forensic verification of these tapes, their authenticity, and their admissibility as potential evidence in ongoing investigations.

The tapes were sent to the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL), but no final report has yet been submitted. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Union of India, informed the Court that the lab has faced “technical bottlenecks” due to the sensitive nature and quality of the recordings.

However, the bench was not convinced.

“Sensitive matters demand timely attention, not bureaucratic stagnation. Justice delayed in this context amounts to justice denied,” said Justice Pardiwala.

The Court has now directed the Centre and the investigating agency to ensure that the forensic report is submitted on or before the next hearing, scheduled later this month. The judges made it clear that any further delay would invite judicial intervention.

While the political and investigative machinery continues to wrestle with procedural delays, ground reports from Manipur indicate that displaced families remain in camps, peace talks have yielded little, and mutual distrust between communities is still high.

This matter is part of a larger suo motu case in which the Court is monitoring multiple aspects of the ethnic violence that broke out in May 2023.