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Rafale deal: SC dismisses all petitions calling for probe, says ‘no proof of commercial favouritism’

The Supreme Court of India on Friday dismissed all the petitions seeking a direction to the CBI to register an FIR for alleged irregularities in the Rafale jet deal.

“We can’t sit in judgement over the wisdom of purchase of aircraft,” said a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, adding, “Our country cannot be allowed to be underprepared.” It is “not the job of this court to go into the differential pricing details, which must be kept confidential,” said the judges, on petitions accusing the government of going for an overpriced deal.

The Apex Court also said, “We don’t find any substantial element to show that there is any commercial favouritism to any private entity.”

On the issue of offset partner, the bench, also comprising Justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph, said there was no substantial evidence of commercial favouritism to any private entity.

The top court said there has been a necessity for fighter aircraft and the country cannot remain without jets.

The CJI, who read out the judgement for the three-judge bench, said no reasons were found to interfere in the procurement process for the fighter jets.

The apex court said it is not the job of the court to deal with the comparative details of the pricing.

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