Rafale fighter jets (file photo)/ official website: Dassault | Photo Credit: Times Now

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday disposed of the Rafale petition and asked the Central government to provide details of the decision-making process in a sealed cover. The Supreme Court bench consisting of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi and S K Kaul and K M Joseph clarified that it did not want details of pricing and other such technicalities of the deal.

The apex court sought details of Rafale decision-making process from the Centre and clarified that it did not want information on pricing and other technical details of the deal. The Centre, on the other hand, sought dismissal of the PILs filed in the case and argued that the petitions have been filed to gain political mileage.

"Rafale deal pertains to national security and such issues cannot be reviewed judicially," Attorney General told the apex court. The Centre has been asked to submit its reply by October 29. The apex court has fixed PILs for hearing on October 31. The petition sought a directive from the apex court asking the Centre to 'reveal details of the Rafale deal and the comparative prices during the UPA and NDA rule in a sealed cover to the apex court'- news agency PTI reported.

The Congress party has distanced itself from the petition and instead decided to approach the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India to take up the matter. The Congress party has attacked the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleging that the latter facilitated an offset contract between Rafale's manufacturer Dassault and Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence, while sidelining the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).