Rafale Deal Controversy: Supreme Court to Hear Review Petition on February 26

New Delhi, February 22: The Supreme Court will hear a petition seeking review of its December 14 judgment on the Rafale fighter jet deal on February 26. The apex court yesterday admitted the review plea. The Supreme Court also agreed to hear lawyer Prashant Bhushan's plea seeking perjury prosecution of some officials for 'misleading court' in the Rafale case. Full Text of Rafale Deal Verdict by Supreme Court.

In its earlier verdict, the top court had refused to order a probe into the deal of procuring 36 Rafale jets from France. A bench, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi, had said that there was "nothing questionable" in the decision-making process for the Rafale deal.

Meanwhile, speaking on the Rafale deal controversy, Dassault Aviation Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Eric Trappier on February 20, said that there was "no scandal with Rafale deal". Trappier also added that besides 36 fighter jets, if the Indian government wants more aircraft, then they would be "pleased to deliver". CAG Report on Rafale Deal Tabled in Rajya Sabha Amid Uproar From Opposition.

The Narendra Modi scrapped the proposed deal of the previous the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and signed the new deal worth Rs 59,000 crore with the French government in September 2016 to procure 36 Rafale jets. The opposition has been attacking the government for purchasing the jets at a higher price. The Modi government is also under fire for giving offset contract worth Rs 30,000 crore to Anil Ambani’s Reliance Naval and Engineering Limited instead of state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 22, 2019 09:28 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).