The Supreme Court today directed the Central government to apprise it of the steps taken in the decision-making process related to the Rafale Deal..A Bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and KM Joseph, however, made it clear that the Court is not taking into account any of the allegations in the petitions, and that it is not issuing official notice in the matter..The Bench also said that the Centre need not respond on the pricing and technical suitability of the Rafale jets..The Court passed the order after hearing petitioners ML Sharma and Vineet Dhanda. Another petitioner, Tehseen Poonawalla, chose to withdraw his petition..Attorney General KK Venugopal appeared for the Central government..The order was passed despite Venugopal stating that it is a politically motivated litigation and should not be entertained..“This is political petition and not a public interest litigation and is part of bitter fight going on between ruling and opposition party. If notice is issued, it will go to PM etc. Please don’t entertain such petitions”, Venugopal told the Court..The Court, however, said that it would like to be informed of the steps involved in the decision-making process for its own satisfaction, and hence will not issue official notice..The matter will now be heard on October 31..Read the order below.
The Supreme Court today directed the Central government to apprise it of the steps taken in the decision-making process related to the Rafale Deal..A Bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and KM Joseph, however, made it clear that the Court is not taking into account any of the allegations in the petitions, and that it is not issuing official notice in the matter..The Bench also said that the Centre need not respond on the pricing and technical suitability of the Rafale jets..The Court passed the order after hearing petitioners ML Sharma and Vineet Dhanda. Another petitioner, Tehseen Poonawalla, chose to withdraw his petition..Attorney General KK Venugopal appeared for the Central government..The order was passed despite Venugopal stating that it is a politically motivated litigation and should not be entertained..“This is political petition and not a public interest litigation and is part of bitter fight going on between ruling and opposition party. If notice is issued, it will go to PM etc. Please don’t entertain such petitions”, Venugopal told the Court..The Court, however, said that it would like to be informed of the steps involved in the decision-making process for its own satisfaction, and hence will not issue official notice..The matter will now be heard on October 31..Read the order below.
