Rafale price can be discussed only if facts on deal can be made public: SC

The top court also sought the assistance of any Air Force officer on the issue of procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets from France

Latest News :The Supreme Court Wednesday said any discussion on pricing of the Rafale fighter jets can only take place if the facts on the deal are allowed to come in the public domain. “The decision we need to take is whether to bring the fact on pricing in public domain or not,” a bench headed by the Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said. The bench, also comprising justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph, told Attorney General K K Venugopal that without bringing the facts in public domain, there was no question of any debate on pricing.

However, the bench clarified to the attorney general that any discussion on price will be considered if it thinks that it should come in the public domain. The top court also sought the assistance of any Air Force officer on the issue of procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets from France.|Rafale Deal

“We are dealing with requirements of the Air Force and would like to ask an Air Force officer on the Rafale jet. We want to hear from an Air force officer and not the official of the Defence Ministry on the issue,” the bench said when Venugopal commenced his arguments on behalf of the Centre.

Venugopal told the bench that an Air Force officer would be reaching within a few minutes. The attorney general in his arguments defended the secrecy clause related to the pricing of Rafale jets saying,”Our adversaries may get advantages if the entire details on the pricing is disclosed.” Refusing to divulge details on the pricing aspect, Venugopal said he would not be able to assist the court further on the pricing issue.

Click Here —BUSINESS STANDARD OR BS