Supreme Court: The Bench comprising of CJ Ranjan Gogoi and U.U. Lalit and K.M. Joseph, JJ. while hearing petitions concerning the “Rafale Fighter Jets” asked the Centre to submit the pricing details for the same within a period of 10 days.
The Bench stated that “strategic and confidential” information need not be shared. Further, the Court in response to Attorney General K.K. Venugopal’s submission regarding “reservations about disclosing the details of pricing of the jets which were not disclosed even in Parliament”, said that “if pricing is something exclusive and you are not sharing it with us, please file an affidavit and say so.”
Further, the bench also stated that “What has been questioned is bonafide of the decision making process and price/cost at which the same is to be procured.”
Therefore, in the present order the bench has stated that further details that could legitimately come in the public domain with regard to the induction of the Indian offset partner (if any) be also furnished to the learned counsels for the parties, as well as ,
the petitioners in person.
Background:
In its earlier order Manohar Lal Sharma v. Narendra Damodardas Modi, 2018 SCC OnLine SC 1920:
The Court stated in categorical terms that “information which was sought would not cover the issue of pricing or the question of technical suitability of the equipment for purposes of the requirements of the Indian Air Force.” The requisite information was directed to be placed before the Court in three separate sealed covers on or before 29 October 2018, to be filed with the Secretary General of the Court.
The matter is further listed for 14-11-2018. [Manohar Lal Sharma v. Narendra Damodardas Modi,2018 SCC OnLine SC 2278, Order dated 31-10-2018]