India top court rejects probe into Rafale deal

Chief Justice: No reason to doubt the government’s decision-making process

India’s top court yesterday rejected petitions by activists seeking a probe into the government purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets from France.

Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said there was no reason to doubt the government’s decision-making process in the multibillion dollar deal.

Gogoi said it was not the job of the court to deal with the comparative details of the pricing. Activist Prashant Bhushan, a petitioner, said he believes that the court verdict was against the country’s interests.

“The aircraft deal needed a proper investigation in view of allegations about its pricing” and the choice of Indian partners, Bhushan said.

Congress party President Rahul Gandhi has accused Modi’s government of favouring a company owned by industrialist Anil Ambani, Reliance Group, when choosing an Indian partner for Dassault, the aircraft manufacturer. Randeep Surjewala, a party spokesman, demanded a probe by a joint parliamentary committee.