SC wants Rafale price details in 10 days

NEWDELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Centre to submit pricing details of the Rafale jet deal in a sealed cover within 10 days, in what appeared to be a departure from its position three weeks ago when the court said it did not want to examine the issue of pricing.

The government argued that the information is so sensitive that it has not been shared even with Parliament.

“If you feel that pricing is an exclusive issue, mention it in the affidavit,” a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi told the government, which maintained that details of the defence deal cannot

be divulged due to strategic reasons.

The bench of CJI Gogoi, justice UU Lalit and justice KM Joseph is hearing petitions challenging the deal to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets from France.

At a hearing on October 10, the

court sought details of the decision-making process that led to the purchase of the jets, but said at that time it did not want to get into pricing.

The court said on Wednesday it received the report and asked the Centre to share with the petitioners portions that can be legitimately “brought into the public domain”.

“Along with the said facts, further details that could legitimately come in the public domain with respect to the induction of the Indian offset partner, if any, be also furnished to the lead counsel of the parties,” the bench said.

The court also said details that “may be considered to be strategic and confidential” could be placed only before the court at this stage, and may not be shared with the petitioners.

The bench clarified that it was not commenting on the merits of the case and the petitioners have not questioned the suitability of equipment and their utility to the Indian Air Force.