'End Sealed Cover Business': Chief Justice Blasts Government's Top Lawyer

The Chief Justice called sealed covers 'completely against' settled judicial principles.

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, hearing the 'One Rank, One Pension' case today, lashed out at the practice of using sealed cover envelopes for submissions to courts. He refused to accept a sealed cover envelope submitted by the Attorney General of India stating the decision of the Defence Ministry on the payment of pensions, asking the government's top lawyer to read it or take it back.

"We will not take any confidential documents or sealed covers, and am personally averse to this. There has to be transparency in court. This is about implementing the orders. What can be the secrecy here?" he said, adding that he wanted to put an end to "the sealed cover business". 

"If the Supreme Court follows it, High Courts will also follow", he told the Attorney General.

The Chief Justice further called sealed covers 'completely against' settled judicial principles.