Congress urges SC to recall Rafale judgment
New Delhi: The Indian National Congress (INC) on Sunday urged the Supreme Court to recall its Rafale judgment and issue notices to the central government for contempt of court and perjury, alleging the Centre had provided false information to the apex court. Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters here, senior Congress leader Anand Sharma said that the Government was guilty of committing breach of privilege of both houses of Parliament by claiming that the CAG report on Rafale aircraft pricing had been presented to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament.
The Congress leader also took a broad swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP, saying, "They should seek penance and take a dip in the holy Ganges instead".
"We demand that the Supreme Court immediately recall that judgment which is void. It would be in the interest of the dignity of the Supreme Court to do so, because this entire episode has dented the dignity of the highest court which cannot be allowed," he told reporters, adding that what has happened is unacceptable.
"It is important that the Supreme Court issues a notice of perjury to the government and the concerned officials and the law officers. The Supreme Court must also issue contempt notice to the government," he said. The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed the pleas, saying that there was no occasion to "really doubt the decision-making process" warranting setting aside of the defence contract for purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets. In its judgment, the court made a reference to a CAG report on the aircraft deal. It said that the CAG report was examined by the PAC.
However, the Congress has insisted that the Government presented "wrong facts" before the court during the hearing of pleas challenging the aircraft deal with France, which gave the Government relief in the cases. On Saturday, the Centre moved the Supreme Court seeking correction in the judgment, saying that "misinterpretation" of its note has "resulted in a controversy in the public domain".
