SC seeks pricing details of Rafale jets

The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought details from the the Narendra Modi-led government on the pricing and strategies of Rafale fighter jets in a sealed cover within ten days.

The pricing of the aircraft, the government so far had maintained, is covered under the Official Secrets Act.

The decision from the Bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices UU Lalit and KM Joseph came after hearing a clutch of petitions filed to seek investigation into the alleged irregularities in the multi-billion dollar deal.

The matter will next be heard on November 14.

On October 27, the Centre had submitted the details of the decision-making process of the Rafale deal to the Supreme Court's Secretary-General in a sealed cover.

The Rafale jet deal controversy has been on the boil over the last few months. The Congress and other opposition parties have been alleging irregularities in the high-profile deal.

The fighter jet is a twin-engine Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft, which security analysts believe can be a 'game-changer' for India's defence system.

The deal to procure its fleet was announced after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with then French president François Hollande in 2016.

Political slugfest over the deal escalated when Hollande, in an interview last month, claimed that France had no choice in the selection of Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence as offset partner for Rafale-maker Dassault.