Rahul Gandhi drums up scam charge in Rafale deal again, says public money 'stolen'

Congress leer Rahul Gandhi yet again drummed up his allegation of corruption in Rafale fighter aircraft deal and said Modi government has 'stolen' money from public exchequer. He was citing a report that quoted a source in  Comptroller and Auditor General saying CAG's performance audit on defence offset contracts submitted to Centre has mention of any offset deals related to Rafale aircraft purchased from French company Dassault Aviation.

Wayan MP wrote on Twitter: "Money was stolen from Indian exchequer in Rafale. 'Truth is one, paths are many.' Mahatma Gandhi"

In July as India welcomed  first fleet of Rafale jets, former Congress chief h raked up a controversy over fighter jet's acquisition. While he congratulated Indian Air Force on new defence entrants, he asked Modi government to answer questions about aircraft's worth, number of jets acquired and Rs 30,000 crore contract awarded to Anil Ambani inste of state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Gandhi has repeatedly questioned deal since Modi government finalised deal in 2017.

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Rafales land at Ambala air

In a mega boost to Indian Airforce's firepower, five Rafale jets landed at Indian Airforce's Ambala airbase on July 29. jets took off from Merignac airbase in French port city of Bordeaux and arrived here after covering a distance of 7,000 km with air-to-air refueling and a single stop in United Arab Emirates. jets entered Indian air and were escorted by 2 SU30 MKIs to airbase.

SC's Rafale verdict

 Supreme Court h in 2019 dismissed review petitions against its December 14, 2018 judgment upholding 36 Rafale jets' deal, and giving a clean chit to Modi government. review petitions asked for a review in  jet deal with French firm Dassault Aviation. top court rejected plea that re was a necessity for registration of an FIR in connection with Rafale deal. top court h said that it did t find any reason to embark on a 'roving and fishing inquiry.'

Moreover, SC, while dismissing  contempt proceeding against Rahul Gandhi which was filed by BJP leer Meenakshi Lekhi, h issued n Congress chief a stern warning. In run-up to 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Rahul Gandhi h attributed his ‘Chowkidar chor hai’ jibe against Prime Minister Modi to Apex Court. Following this, Lekhi filed a contempt plea. After SC issued a contempt tice against Gandhi, latter tendered an apology seeking closure of proceedings. top court accepted his apology and while pulling up leer for making false attributions to Court.

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