Rafale deal: SC dismisses Centre’s objections on leaked papers, to review its verdict

In a major setback for the Centre, the Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected the preliminary objections raised by the government to petitions seeking review of the December 14 Rafale judgment that gave a clean chit to them in the Rafale deal.

A three-judge Supreme Court bench has dismissed preliminary objections by the government to consider documents ‘stolen’ from the defence ministry as evidence in the Rafale fighter jet case.

The Supreme Court said that Rafale review pleas will be heard in detail by the court. The court has also said that defence ministry documents are admissible for review.

The order means, classified documents sourced by the media without authorization can be considered evidence and a basis for re-examining its December verdict.

The centre earlier argued that the documents that were provided as evidence were ‘illegal’ and were a threat to national security.

However, the court’s verdict has given the opposition an upper hand in the Rafale row as the documents procured by them to challenge Supreme court’s earlier verdict, can now be used as evidence in the court.