Sealed Cover Jurisprudence refers to courts accepting confidential information from the government in sealed envelopes, restricting access to judges only, citing national security or sensitive investigations.

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• Sealed Cover Jurisprudence permits courts to receive confidential information from government authorities in sealed envelopes, restricting disclosure to judges alone.

• The practice is justified on grounds such as national security, public order, privacy protection, and avoiding prejudice to ongoing criminal or intelligence investigations.

• Although not codified in law, courts rely on Section 123 of the Indian Evidence Act and Order XIII Rule 7 of Supreme Court Rules.

• Critics argue sealed cover submissions undermine principles of open justice, transparency, and accountability, which are essential to democratic judicial functioning.

• Denial of access to evidence limits the right to a fair trial and violates principles of natural justice, particularly when fundamental rights are involved.

• The Supreme Court has expressed increasing discomfort with this practice in cases such as MediaOne, INX Media, and P Gopalakrishnan.

• Courts have suggested alternatives like in-camera hearings and redacted disclosures to balance confidentiality with judicial fairness.