Rafale Deal Detailed Scrutiny Not Required, No Need For Probe Into Aircraft Pricing, Rules Supreme Court as it Dismisses All Petitions
Announcing the verdict, CJI Ranjan Gogoi said that the SC's job to go into the details of pricing of the Rafale deal.
New Delhi, December 14: The Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi on Friday said that 'detailed review of Rafale deal not required' and dismissed all petitions filled by Congress and other parties.
Reading out the judgement in the Supreme Court, Gogoi said, "Judicial review to be affected by security. Detailed review of Rafale deal not required, the need and quality of aircraft not in doubt." He added, "The extent of permissible of judicial review with respect to contracts relating to defence procurements have to be decided on fact to fact basis. Don't need probe into details of Rafale pricing. Not the job of this court to go into it." Here's the full text of Supreme Court's verdict on Rafale deal.
Announing the verdict, CJI Gogoi said, "We don’t find any material to show that it’s commercial favouritism. There is no reason for interference in the choice of offset partner and perception of individuals can't be the basis for roving inquiry in sensitive issue of defence procurement."
He added, "We can't compel government to purchase 126 aircraft and its not proper for the court to examine each aspect of this case. It isn't a job of court to compare pricing details."
The decision over the issue of whether an investigation is needed into the deal for 36 Rafale fighter jets or not was heard in the apex court. Earlier, the Union government has opposed to the decision of the Supreme Court, questioning its expertise to review the Rs 59,000-crore deal for 36 planes with French firm Dassault.
However, the court in this matter had assured the BJP-led central government that unless and until the judges think the pricing details should be made public, it would not be discussed. The bench was hearing the matter after Congress filed a court-monitored investigation into the deal, alleging the Union government of corruption and crony capitalism. Supreme Court Verdict on Rafale Deal: BJP Seeks Apology From Rahul Gandhi, Congress Presses For JPC Probe; Here's Who Said What.
Also, Congress parliamentarian Sunil Kumar Jakhar had again moved an adjournment notice in the ongoing Winter Session of Lok Sabha over Rafale Deal.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 14, 2018 10:44 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).