Rafale Deal Row: Attorney General Venugopal, representing the central government attacking the news daily argued that the documents were classified and revealing them was a violation of
Rafale deal controversy: “It is a criminal offence. We are objecting preliminary because secret documents can’t be annexed with the petition. Review and perjury petitions must be dismissed,” said the Attorney General.
Documents linked to the Rafale deal have been stolen and petitioners are violating the Official Secrets Act by relying on classified documents, the central government told the Supreme Court today as the court’s notice was drawn to a report by The Hindu.
“These documents were stolen from the Defence Ministry either by former or present employees. These are secret documents and can’t be in the public domain,” Attorney General KK Venugopal told the court, representing the central government.
Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi in response questioned centre what action the government had taken.
“We are investigating how these documents were stolen,” said the centre, accusing The Hindu newspaper of relying on these classified documents.
“It is a criminal offence. We are objecting preliminary because secret documents can’t be annexed with the petition. Review and perjury petitions must be dismissed,” said the Attorney General.
KM Joseph asked the Attorney General whether the laws were broken or not is the concern and not the government can put everything under the umbrella of national security.
The newspaper quotes a report of the Indian Negotiating Team (INT) to the defense ministry on July 21, 2016, and says it reveals how a parallel negotiating track weakened India’s position and supported the French.
The next hearing is set to take place on March 14.
Stay tuned for more updates!
