Rafale deal: Centre submits details of decision making process in SC

NEW DELHI: The Centre has filed before the Supreme Court details of Rafale deal decision making process in sealed covers. The apex court on October 10 had asked the Centre to provide details of the decision making process in the Rafale fighter jet deal sans pricing and technical specifications.

The direction to the Centre was issued on a petition filed by advocate ML Sharma. The matter will come up for the hearing on October 31.

While seeking the report in a sealed cover, a bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices SK Kaul and KM Joseph had clarified that it did not want information on pricing and technical particulars.

The bench said it will not test whether Rafale jets are suitable or not but only to assess the correctness of the decision-making process. The Centre opposed the plea and sought their dismissal on the ground that they have been filed to gain political mileage.

“Rafale deal pertains to national security and such issues cannot be reviewed judicially,” Attorney General KK Venugopal told the apex court.

The top court clarified that it was not taking into account allegations made in petitions.

The Centre had been asked to provide the information by October 29.

However, the Centre has provided the details before the Monday deadline and has submitted three separate sealed covers to the Supreme Court Secretary General.

The court was hearing various petitions seeking directions, including asking the Centre to reveal details of the Rafale deal and the comparative prices during the UPA and NDA rule in a sealed cover to the SC.