In a major blow to the government, the Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the centre to submit pricing details of the Rafale deal in a sealed cover within ten days.
The government stuck to its stand that the price of each Rafale Jet is confidential and has not even been disclosed to the parliament.
A bench headed by chief justice Ranjan Gogoi also said that details, including the steps in the decision-making process for the procurement of jets, which could “legitimately” be brought into public domain, be made available to the parties who have filed petitions before it in the matter.
After the court dictated the order, Attorney General K K Venugopal told the bench that pricing details of these jets were not even shared with Parliament.
The bench, which also comprised Justices U U Lalit and K M Joseph, told the Attorney General that if the pricing detail was “exclusive” and it could not be shared with the court then the centre should file an affidavit in this regard and say so.
CNBC-TV18 spoke with Pawan Kheram, Congress spokesperson; Syed Zafar Islam, BJP spokesperson; Majid Memon, senior Lawyer MP, NCP.
Islam said whatever the Supreme Court’s observation will be examined by the government and appropriate response will be given.
“As far as Rafael deal is concerned we are absolutely confident and sure that that the Congress is making false allegations,” Islam said, adding that whatever transaction has been concluded with the French government is above board and is in the interest of the nation and interest of Airforce, “he said.