No court-monitored CBI probe into purchase of 36 Rafale jets: SC

The Supreme Court on Friday declined to order a CBI probe into the purchase of 36 French-made Rafale jets, holding that it was satisfied that there is no reason to doubt the purchase process or the need for the fighter jets. The court said “perceptions of individuals cannot be a basis for a roving inquiry”.

“We are satisfied that there is no reason to doubt the process is followed and the need of aircraft is not in doubt,” a three-judge bench led by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and comprising justice SK Kaul and KM Joseph said.

“It is not correct for the court to sit as appellate authority in the aircraft purchase,” the bench observed.