There is no wrong in signing of Rafale fighters jet deal

The Supreme Court said today that it’s found nothing wrong with a deal the Narendra Modi government signed with France to purchase 36 Rafale fighter jets. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi said that it had studied the matter “extensively” and that it was “satisfied that there is no occasion to doubt the process (of signing the Rafale deal).”

The ruling today came on four petitions that had asked the Supreme Court to set up a court-monitored probe into the signing of the Rafale deal. The petitions had alleged that the Modi government not only overpaid for the Rafale jets but also promoted crony capitalism.

The Supreme Court, however, said that the Rafale deal process was perfectly fine and dismissed all PILs that demanded a court-monitored probe into the Rafale deal. The Supreme Court also said it was not its job to examine the pricing of the Rafale jets.

“Our country cannot afford to be underprepared,” the court also said today, referring to the Indian Air Force being short on the number of aircraft it must have.

“Perception of individuals cannot be the basis of roving inquiry by the court,” the Supreme Court also said, adding that it had “no objection to any part of the deal”.

The Supreme Court ruling today comes as a boost for the Narendra Modi government, which the Opposition has attempted to corner on the Rafale deal issue.