Akhilesh Yadav says those who still question Rafale deal should file appeal in Supreme Court

Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday said the demand for the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe on Rafale deal was made before the matter moved to the Supreme Court and if somebody wants to question the procurement of the French-made fighter jets, they should do so by appealing in the apex court. 

Reacting to the Supreme Court verdict rejecting the demand for a probe into the procurement of 36 Rafale jets, the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister said, "I think Supreme Court is supreme. We asked for JPC when SC was not in the picture but now SC’s judgement has come, they have pondered on every aspect so if someone wants to question it in future they should go and knock SC's door."

In a relief to the Modi government, the Supreme Court on Friday dismissed the pleas challenging the deal between India and France for procurement of 36 Rafale jets saying there was no occasion to "really doubt the decision making process" warranting setting aside of the contract. 

The apex court rejected the pleas which sought lodging of an FIR and a court-monitored probe alleging irregularities in the Rs 58,000 crore deal, in which both the countries have entered into an inter-governmental agreement (IGA).

The Congress, which has accused the Narendra Modi government of wrongdoing, has, however, refused to back down and reiterated the demand for a JPC probe.

Both government and Anil Ambani's Reliance Group have rejected Gandhi's allegations of any wrongdoing. Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday maintained that corruption had taken place in the contract which he asserted will be proved by his party and claimed that the basis of the court judgement is a CAG report that has neither been seen by anyone, nor shared with Parliament's Public Accounts Committee.

He also trained his guns on Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying he cannot escape action and only two names of Modi and businessman Anil Ambani will come out whenever a JPC probe is conducted into the deal.

Both the government and Anil Ambani's Reliance Group have rejected Gandhi's allegations of wrongdoing in the defence deal.

Accusing Gandhi of misleading people and endangering national security with his allegations about the deal, the BJP has sought an apology from Congress and Rahul Gandhi.

BJP president Amit Shah said the SC verdict was a slap on the face of those who levelled such charges. Shah likened Gandhi's allegations against Modi to throwing mud at the Sun, saying it cannot dim its fire and the mud falls on those who throw it.

(With PTI inputs)