CJI Ranjan Gogoi rebukes activist Prashant Bhushan

On Wednesday, during the hearing of Rafale deal case, Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi rebuked notorious activist cum lawyer- Prashant Bhushan. The CJI said, “Mr. Bhushan, do not hurry.” After this Prashant Bhushan realized and accepted his mistake. Prashant Bhushan was hasty in handing over the documents regarding the plea in the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court pointed out an anomaly in Prashant Bhushan’s written submission. Responding to that, Bhushan said, “We were in hurry… that’s why this mistake.” To this, CJI responded, “Don’t be in hurry Mr Bhushan.”

During the hearing, Prashant Bhushan also exchanged heated arguments with Attorney General of India, KK Venugopal. Prashant Bhushan contested the government’s claim that the prices of Rafale fighter jets could not be disclosed due to secrecy clause. He asked in the Supreme Court, “How the price of the aircraft compromise national security.” Prashant Bhushan claimed that $ 155 million is the cost of each unity of MMRC Rafale jet. Responding to this, KK Venugopal asked Bhushan to reveal his source saying that price of Rafale jet could not be disclosed because of secrecy clause. KK Venugopal said, “How did he get it? It is supposed to be a secret. He should disclose his source.” Bhushan responded to this by saying that the cost of the deal “can’t be classified” as it posed no threat to national security. According to a ‘India Today’ report, at one point, the Supreme Court bench told Prashant Bhushan to speak only as much as necessary. The CJI told Bhushan, “We are giving you full hearing. Use this opportunity carefully and cite only those things which are necessary.”

On Monday, the Centre submitted an affidavit in connection with the Rafale fighter jets deal in the Supreme Court. The document titled “Details of the steps in the decision making process leading to the award of 36 Rafale fighter aircraft order” has said that the process as laid down in the Defence Procurement Procedure-2013 has been followed in procurement of the Rafale aircraft. The Centre in a sealed cover has filed the details of the pricing as well.

Last month, the Supreme Court had asked the Centre for pricing details of the 36 Rafale fighter jets that India is buying from France in a sealed cover without disclosing “strategic and confidential” information. The honorable Supreme Court also asked center to provide, the details of steps in the decision making for the procurement of jets, which could “legitimately” be shared in the public sphere, with the parties who have filed petitions with respect to Rafale deal.