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    Rafale deal verdict highlights: SC rejects review, but Rahul Gandhi says 'door to JPC probe opened'

    14 Nov, 2020 | 04:35:59 AM IST
    Rafale deal verdict highlights: SC rejects review, but Rahul Gandhi says 'door to JPC probe opened'
    SC has dismissed pleas seeking review of its earlier clean chit to the Modi govt in Rafale fighter jet deal.
    1 New Update
    05:19:00 PM IST, 14 November 2019

    Opens door to a JPC probe: Rahul Gandhi

    05:13:30 PM IST, 14 November 2019

    Amit Shah: Now, it has been proved that disruption of Parliament over Rafale was a sham. The time could have been better utilised for the welfare of people. After today's rebuke from SC, Congress and its leader, for whom politics is above national interest must apologise to the nation.

    05:17:03 PM IST, 14 November 2019

    Amit Shah: Supreme Court’s decision to dismiss the review petition on Rafale is a befitting reply to those leaders and parties who rely on malicious and baseless campaigns. Today’s decision, yet again, reaffirms Modi sarkar’s credentials as a govt which is transparent and corruption free.

    03:16:57 PM IST, 14 November 2019

    Not the function of this court to decide prices: SC

    From the SC verdict: Insofar as the aspect of pricing is concerned, the Court satisfied itself with the material made available. It is not the function of this Court to determine the prices nor for that matter can such aspects be dealt with on mere suspicion of persons who decide to approach the Court. The internal mechanism of such pricing would take care of the situation. On the perusal of documents we had found that one cannot compare apples and oranges. Thus, the pricing of the basic aircraft had to be compared which was competitively marginally lower. As to what should be loaded on the aircraft or not and what further pricing should be added has to be left to the best judgment of the competent authorities.
    03:01:31 PM IST, 14 November 2019

    Rajnath Singh welcomes SC verdict, says 'NDA govt vindicated'

    02:45:00 PM IST, 14 November 2019

    The Supreme Court has said that he (Rahul Gandhi) is a contemptner and a better sense should prevail. Keeping that in mind, a better methodology of doing politics should prevail and Congress should know how not to be intolerant of others who are doing better than them

    - Meenakshi Lekhi, BJP

    02:32:20 PM IST, 14 November 2019

    Ravi Shankar Prasad, BJP: Rahul Gandhi lied in the Parliament that France President Emmanuel Macron told him that the deal can be disclosed. Rahul Gandhi not only used Reliance and Dassault in his lies but also the current and former Presidents of France

    02:31:21 PM IST, 14 November 2019

    Did not consider it appropriate to issue direction for CBI FIR: SC

    From the Supreme Court verdict: The prayer made by the petitioner was for registration of an F.I.R. and investigation by the C.B.I., which has not been dealt with and the contract has been reviewed prematurely by the Judiciary without the benefit of investigation and inquiry into the disputed questions of facts. We do not consider this to be a fair submission for the reason that all counsels, including counsel representing the petitioners in this matter addressed elaborate submissions on all the aforesaid three aspects. No doubt that there was a prayer made for registration of F.I.R. and further investigation but then once we had examined the three aspects on merits we did not consider it appropriate to issue any directions, as prayed for by the petitioners which automatically covered the direction for registration of FIR, prayed for.
    02:18:46 PM IST, 14 November 2019

    Rahul Gandhi should apologise: Prasad

    02:42:06 PM IST, 14 November 2019

    Rajnath Singh: I think matters related to defence preparedness shouldn't be politicised,unfortunately some people did it for personal benefits.They also tried to malign Prime Minister.I would like to say that it was done especially by some senior Congress leaders.

    01:31:17 PM IST, 14 November 2019

    Govt stand vindicated: Rajnath Singh

    01:30:48 PM IST, 14 November 2019

    I have been vindicated: BS Dhanoa

    12:50:44 PM IST, 14 November 2019

    Rahul Gandhi and his party tried hard to mislead the country on this issue but truth prevailed. I wish Rahul Gandhi would be in country and should offer apologies to nation.

    - JP Nadda, BJP working president.

    12:30:38 PM IST, 14 November 2019

    BJP mocks Rahul Gandhi over SC rap

    12:15:10 PM IST, 14 November 2019

    It is unfortunate that without any verification certain remarks were made by the contemnor (Rahul Gandhi) against the prime minister.Gandhi enjoys an important position in political spectrum and no court should be dragged to political discourse, whether valid or invalid. Mr. Gandhi needs to be more careful in future.

    - Supreme Court

    12:12:16 PM IST, 14 November 2019

    Rafale fighter jet deal: What's ahead

    FUTURE OPTIONS: The IAF has been keen to acquire at least 36 more Rafale jets. The infrastructure to accommodate these is already in place and the deal for 36 more is expected to cost much lesser as India specific enhancements have been paid for.
    France has out an offer for additional jets on the table, will cost less that Euro 6 billion and will result in major offsets work to the Indian industry.
    12:01:10 PM IST, 14 November 2019

    How the Rafale fighter jets compare to present fighters: Explained

    COMPARED to the current top edge SU 30 MKI fighter jet in the IAF, the Rafale fares much higher
    Loitering capability: 1.5 times of Su 30MKI
    Range 780-1055 km vs 400-550 of Su 30MKI
    5 sorties per 24 hours against 3 by Su 30MKI

    WHAT IT MEANS: For almost two decades, the air force has been outgunned when it comes to long range weapons and sensors by the Pakistani air force.
    Officials admit that for each Pakistani F 16 in the air, two Su 30MKI jets have to be scrambled because of the American origin jets superior radar and missiles.
    The Rafale will reverse this and give IAF the decisive edge with better sensors and weapons. Each Rafale in the air would require at least two F 16s for a counter challenge.
    Combined with the upcoming deliveries of the S 400 air defence system next year, it will greatly enhance Indian air superiority in the region.
    Combined, both systems will give India the ability to carry out air strikes at will within Pakistan as a means to counter terror attacks.

    WHAT NEXT: The Rafales delivered will be flown by India pilots in France for at least 1500 hours as part of the testing and acceptance process. First batch of four combat jets is expected to be ferried to India by May next year and will form the first squadron of Rafale fighters that will be deployed at the Ambala
    The 17 Squadron will receive the jets.
    11:59:10 AM IST, 14 November 2019

    What are the India-specific specs in Rafale fighter jets: Explained

    INDIA SPECIFIC: While other nations, including France and Egypt operate the Rafale, the ones supplied to India are more advanced versions, modified to meet specific requirement.

    * Helmet mounted sights and targeting system to give the pilots lightening quick ability to shoot off weapons.
    * Ability to taken off from high altitude airbases like Leh on a 'cold start' - for quick reaction deployment
    * Towed decoy system to thwart incoming missile attacks
    * French industrial support for fighter for 50 years

    TAIL NUMBER: The Indian Rafales carry the RB series of tail numbers, named after current Air Force Chief RKS Bhadauria.
    11:57:30 AM IST, 14 November 2019

    How Rafale fighter jets have an edge: Explained

    THE EGDE: The Rafale weapons package outguns all other weapons systems in the region and will give India the ability to engage Pakistani jets from a distance without being tracked. Also, the air to ground SCALP missile will be able to take down virtually any target within Pakistani soil with dead accuracy.
    Weapons:

    SCALP: Precision long range ground attack missile that can take out targets with extreme accuracy. Has a range of much over 300 km which means that for the Balakote operation, Indian jets would not have needed to cross over the Line of Control and could have conducted the strike from well within own airspace.

    METEOR: Beyond visual range air to air missile that is possibly the best in its class. Can take out enemy aircraft at range of over 100 km. Has a no escape zone of over 60 km and the missile easily outclasses the American origin AMRAAM currently in service with Pakistan.
    11:53:53 AM IST, 14 November 2019

    What's the Rafale fighter jet deal: Explained

    The first Rafale aircraft will arrive in India in May – after training of pilots, a batch of four Rafales will be dispatched to the Ambala airbase.

    The DEAL: India in September 2016 inked a direct deal with the French government to purchase 36 new Rafale fighter jets in a 7.87 billion euro. Deal includes over 3 billion euros of work for the Indian industry over the next 7-8 years. India to get 28 single seater jets and 8 twin seaters for training.
    11:39:42 AM IST, 14 November 2019

    We find the review petitions are without any merit.

    - SC bench on Rafale

    11:26:36 AM IST, 14 November 2019

    What Supreme Court's Rafale verdict means



    ET Manu Pubby analyses:
    The Supreme Court's decision on the Rafale allegations will be a shot in the arm for the air force that has stoutly defended the purchase. The first jet has been handed over last month and the air force will now be able to place orders for more beyond the 36 without any legal or political fallout. It is a special validation for the air force as the current Chief of Air Force, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria led the Rafale negotiations himself as the head of the Indian negotiating team.

    While the government was never worried over the Rafale allegations and has been dismissing them over time, the legal battle had constrained discussions with France over additional orders.

    While the opposition campaign has been deflated by the SC - with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi getting a strong rap on the knuckles for disinformation in related contempt case - the Congress will have a last shot at taking up the image again when the Public Accounts Committee examines the CAG report on Rafale. While the CAG had dismissed charges of a 'scam', members of committee will be able to raise questions if Congress wishes to carry on a political campaign over Rafale.
    11:19:40 AM IST, 14 November 2019

    We don't feel necessary to order FIR or roving inquiry into Rafale deal case: Supreme Court.

    11:07:26 AM IST, 14 November 2019

    Supreme Court has closed the contempt plea filed by BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for wrongly attributing to the court his “chowkidar chor hai” slogan against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Rafale case. But it has said, “Mr Rahul Gandhi needs to be more careful in future” for attributing to the court his remarks.

    11:03:57 AM IST, 14 November 2019

    Justice K M Joseph says court only undertakes limited judicial review. Review hence cannot but be dismissed. The petitioners can though file complaints if they want.

    11:02:34 AM IST, 14 November 2019

    SC closes contempt case against Rahul Gandhi.

    11:02:00 AM IST, 14 November 2019

    On Rahul Gandhi: Unfortunate that opposition leader to make chowkidar chor hai remarks. Should be more careful in the future. We would not like to continue the contempt.

    11:01:04 AM IST, 14 November 2019

    Justice Sanjay Kaul: All the counsels had placed elaborate submissions. Matter had been heard on merit. Review dismissed.

    10:59:27 AM IST, 14 November 2019

    Supreme Court has refused a review of its earlier verdict giving clean chit to Modi govt on Rafale fighter jet deal.

    10:34:42 AM IST, 14 November 2019

    Rafale: Before SC verdict, here's all you should know about the fighter jet and the controversial deal

    The Rafale flew over political controversies and is now ready to be part of IAF's arsenal. ET looks at the past and explains the future of this capable fighter aircraft.
    Rafale: Before SC verdict, here's all you should know about the fighter jet and the controversial deal
    10:27:57 AM IST, 14 November 2019

    SC verdict today on contempt plea against Rahul Gandhi for 'chowkidar chor hai' remark

    The Supreme Court is scheduled to pronounce on Thursday its verdict on the criminal contempt plea filed against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi by BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi for wrongly attributing to the apex court his "chowkidar chor hai" remark in Rafale case against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Gandhi had made the remarks on April 10, the day the apex court had dismissed the Centre's preliminary objections over admissibility of certain documents for supporting the review petitions against the December 14 last year verdict in the Rafale case. (PTI)
    SC verdict today on contempt plea against Rahul Gandhi for 'chowkidar chor hai' remark
    10:28:48 AM IST, 14 November 2019

    Brief timeline of the Rafale jet deal case:

    • 2007: The UPA government releases tenders for 126 fighters, based on the demand by the Indian Air Force.
    • January 2012: French company, Dassault Aviation makes the lowest bids for their aircraft Rafale. According to conditions, 126 jets required, of which 18 to be imported in fly-away condition. Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) supposed to manufacture the remaining 108 jets with assistance from Dassault.
    • 2014: HAL and Dassault sign an agreement. Negotiations carried out however the deal was not finalised.
    • June 2015- Defence ministry officially withdraws the 126 aircraft deal tender.
    • April 2015: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Paris and announces the decision to buy 36 Rafale fighters.
    • January 2016: French President Francois Hollande visits India on the occasion of Republic Day. A memorandum of understanding on the purchase of Rafale jets signed between India and France.
    • November 2018: A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi reserves verdict in the Rafale case after extensive arguments.
    10:08:41 AM IST, 14 November 2019

    A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph is to pronounce verdicts.

    10:07:29 AM IST, 14 November 2019

    While reserving the judgement on the review petitions, the apex court had posed searching questions to the Centre on its deal with France to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets on issues like "waiver of sovereign guarantee" and the absence of technology transfer clause in the IGA pact.

    10:06:58 AM IST, 14 November 2019

    One of the pleas was filed by former Union ministers Yashwant Sinha, Arun Shourie and activist lawyer Prashant Bhushan.

    10:06:34 AM IST, 14 November 2019

    The court had on May 10, reserved the decision on the pleas seeking a re-examination of its findings that there was no occasion to doubt the decision-making process in the procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets.

    10:05:48 AM IST, 14 November 2019

    Today morning, the Supreme Court is set to pronounce its verdict on petitions seeking a review of its judgement giving a clean chit to the Modi government in the Rafale fighter jet deal with French firm Dassault Aviation.

    Read more on
    Ranjan Gogoi
    Narendra Modi
    Rahul Gandhi
    Supreme Court
    Rafale verdict
    Rafale deal
    Dassault Aviation
    Rafale fighter jets
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