No probe in Rafale deal: SC dismisses review plea

NEWDELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to review its 2018 order that dismissed pleas seeking a court-monitored probe of alleged irregularities in the ₹59,000 crore Rafale fighter jet deal, reiterating its earlier decision that it was not for the court to determine the price at which aircraft are bought — a move the government said vindicated its stand.

“Supreme Court’s decision to dismiss the review petition on Rafale is a befitting reply to those leaders and parties who rely on malicious and baseless campaigns.today’s decision, yet again, reaffirms Modi sarkar’s credentials as a govt which is transparent and corruption free,” home minister and Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah tweeted.

In a unanimous verdict — written by justice SK Kaul for himself and Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, and a separate concurrent judgment by KM Joseph — the court said that unless there was an error on record, review applications did not need to be entertained.

The judges also corrected an “error” in its December 14, 2018 judgment.

“We cannot lose sight of the

“We find that there was no ground made out for initiating prosecution under Section 340 CRPC… We are, thus, of the view that the review petitions are without any merit and are accordingly dismissed… These applications do not survive for consideration and the same are disposed of.”

“It is my view that the judgment… would not stand in the way of the first respondent… from taking action… in accordance with law and subject to first respondent obtaining previous approval under ... the Prevention of Corruption Act.”