SC says 'no occasion to doubt decision-making process in Rafale deal'; Congress seeks JPC probe

The apex court also asserted that it has been satisfied with government’s decision and said that it is wrong to question the number of jets purchased by the government.

Following is the chronology of events in the Rafale deal case in which the Supreme Court Wednesday reserved its order on pleas seeking a court-monitored probe in procurement of 36 fighter jets from France. (PTI)

New Delhi: In a major relief to Modi government, the Supreme Court on Friday gave a clean-chit over the much debated multi-billion dollar Rafale deal with France, over which Congress has been taking consistent jibes at the government.  The court observed that it did not find any irregularities pertaining to purchase of Rafale jets. While gearing the case, the Supreme Court said that it is not correct to question government’s decision. The court further observed that have seen the detailed report and the court didn’t find any loopholes in the deal.  The apex court also asserted that it has been satisfied with government’s decision and said that it is wrong to question the number of jets purchased by the government. It said that "Questions raised on Rafale deal only after ex-French prez Hollande came out with statement, which can't be basis of judicial review". “There is no occasion to doubt decision-making process in Rafale deal” court said. It further said that it cannot compel government to procure 126 or 36 fighter jets which depends upon its decision.

LIVE: HM @rajnathsingh seeks Congress President @RahulGandhi's apology in LS for allegations levied by him on BJP over #Rafale https://t.co/DklVA2CsOX pic.twitter.com/pFv08D2dUr

— ABP News (@abpnewstv) December 14, 2018

This comes after a bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi had reserved its verdict on a batch of pleas on November 14. Advocate M L Sharma was the first petitioner in the case. Later, another lawyer Vineet Dhanda had moved the apex court with the plea for court-monitored probe into the deal. AAP leader Sanjay Singh has also filed a petition against the fighter jet deal. After the three petitions were filed, former Union ministers Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie alongwith activist advocate Prashant Bhushan had moved the apex court with a plea for a direction to the CBI to register FIR for alleged irregularities in the deal.

LIVE: "Happy with SC judgment, the entire deal was fair. All the campaign against #Rafale should end now because country's strategic interest is more important" says Law Minsiter @rsprasad https://t.co/DklVA2CsOX pic.twitter.com/i0bELtlhvD

— ABP News (@abpnewstv) December 14, 2018

#RafaleVerdict : "We were already confident as it is a fair and transparent deal" says Home Minister @rajnathsingh https://t.co/DklVA2kRqn pic.twitter.com/OQNeof79MH

— ABP News (@abpnewstv) December 14, 2018

The Centre has defended the deal for 36 Rafale fighter jets and opposed public disclosure of the pricing details.

LIVE: @pbhushan1 raises questions over Court verdict, says "The petitioners didn't get information on price of jets"https://t.co/DklVA2CsOX pic.twitter.com/UTpUKvDHsx

— ABP News (@abpnewstv) December 14, 2018

LIVE: #RafaleVerdict | @INCIndia leader SunilJakhar demands JPC probe over #RafaleDeal https://t.co/DklVA2CsOX pic.twitter.com/2fxqG6d3Ru

— ABP News (@abpnewstv) December 14, 2018

India signed an agreement with France for the purchase of 36 Rafale fighter aircraft in a fly-away condition as part of the upgrading process of Indian Air Force equipment. The deal is estimated to be about Rs 58,000 crore (about USD 8 billion).