New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India refused to accept the reply given by the state government in a sealed envelope concerning the release of Manichan, the accused in the Kalluvathukkal hooch tragedy. The court asked why the state government has not submitted it as an affidavit. However, the state government should file a separate application if they wanted to submit a reply in a sealed cover. The court has asked the government to submit the affidavit within one week. 

Manichan is serving jail term for the last 20 years. He asked for commuting the sentence. Back in February, the apex court directed the state Prison Advisory Committee to take a decision within three months on the matter. While hearing the petition concerning the case, the state government submitted the details in a sealed envelope. 

The bench comprising of Justice A M Khanwilkar and Justice AS Oka viewed that there was nothing secretive in the case to be submitted in a sealed envelope. But the Standing Consul reiterated in court that he was trying to deliver the message in a sealed envelope in order to maintain confidentiality.

The court will consider the petition filed by Manichan's wife Usha next week.