Published On : Fri, Dec 14th, 2018

SC dismisses plea for probe in Rafale jets deal

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New Delhi : There will be no probe into the Rafale deal, the Supreme Court said today, rejecting petitions asking for a court-monitored investigation. “We can’t sit in judgement over the wisdom of purchase of aircraft,” the court said. In a huge relief to the government, which has been constantly under attack from the government, the court said on the choice of Indian offset partner: “We don’t find any substantial element to show that there is any substantial favouritism.”

There is “no reason for intervention by the government,” the judges said.

Not the job of court to compare pricing details: SC on Rafale pricing :

“We are satisfied that there is no occasion to doubt the process (of procurement). A country cant afford to be underprepared. Not correct for the Court to sit as an appellant authority and scrutinise all aspects.

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.

We can’t compel the government to purchase 126 aircrafts 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.”

It is “not the job of this court to go into the differential pricing details, which must be kept confidential”.

The government had questioned the court’s expertise to review the Rs. 59,000-crore deal for 36 planes with French firm Dassault.

Petitions demanding a court-monitored investigation into the deal were filed after the Congress took up the issue on a war footing, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government of corruption and crony capitalism.

The verdict was given by a three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi.