The Supreme Court on Monday said the Ministry of Defence cannot take law in its own hands by issuing communication on payment of One Rank-One Pension (OROP) arrears in four instalments.

A bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices PS Narasimha and JB Pardiwala said the ministry’s January 20 communication was completely contrary to its verdict and it cannot unilaterally say it will pay OROP arrears in four instalments. It directed the ministry to withdraw its communication immediately.