SC declines to go into price, technical specifications of Rafael deal

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National News

Oct 10, 2018

8:28PM

SC declines to go into price, technical specifications of Rafael deal

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Supreme Court today refused to go into the price and other technical specifications of the Rafael deal. It has also refused to issue notice to the Government in the matter. The petition had sought a directive from the apex court asking the Centre to reveal details of the Rafael deal and the comparative prices during the UPA and NDA rule in a sealed cover to the apex court.

The Supreme Court while disposing off the Rafael PIL asked the Central government to provide details of the decision-making process only in a sealed cover. The bench consisting of Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, Justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph clarified that it did not want details of pricing and other such technicalities of the deal.

The Centre, on the other hand, sought dismissal of the PILs filed in the case and argued that the petitions have been filed to gain political mileage on the eve of elections. Attorney General K K Venugopal told the court that national security is involved and the court is being used on the eve of polls to gain politically.

The Rafael deal is a defence agreement between the governments of India and France for the purchase of 36 Rafael fighter aircrafts in a fly-away condition as a part of the upgrading process of Indian Air Force equipment.