Published 16:23 IST, November 14th 2019
Rahul Gandhi breaks silence on SC's Rafale verdict, makes demand
Hours after the Supreme Court of India dismissed contempt proceedings against Rahul Gandhi; he took to Twitter on Thursday to call Rafale 'scam' yet again
Hours after the Supreme Court of India dismissed contempt proceedings against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi; he took to Twitter on Thursday to call Rafale a 'scam' yet again. In his tweet, he highlighted the observation made by Justice Joseph and claimed that it has opened a 'door into investigation.' He added that investigation must begin and a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) must be formed.
Dismissing the Rafale review petitions, the top court had earlier in the day said that the Court found "no merit" in the review petition. It also added, "This Court did not think it appropriate to embark on the roving and fishing enquiry." However, Justice Joseph, who wrote a separate judgement, said he agreed with the main verdict written by Justice Kaul subject to certain aspects on which he has given his own reasons.
What is the Supreme Court's verdict?
The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed the contempt proceeding against Rahul Gandhi which was filed by BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi. In the run-up to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress leader attributed his ‘Chowkidar chor hai’ jibe against Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Apex Court. Following this, Lekhi filed a contempt plea against the leader. After the SC issued a contempt notice against Gandhi, the latter tendered an apology seeking closure of the proceedings. The top court has now accepted his apology and said that it is unfortunate that the contemnor made these statements.
Pronouncing the judgement, Justice Kaul said the contemnor should have been more careful. The top court observed that a person holding such an important position should be more careful. The Court also said that no Court should be dragged in any political discourse.
What was the case against Rahul Gandhi
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, while addressing the media after filing his nomination papers from Amethi for the Lok Sabha elections, earlier this year had attributed the 'Chowkidar Chor Hai' jibe to the Supreme Court. In the 4 minutes 20 seconds clip, Rahul Gandhi said: "Ab kuch din pehle Pradhan Mantri Ji ka ek interview aaya tha jisme unhone kaha ke Supreme Court ne mujhe clean chit de hai. Aaj Supreme Court ne clear kar diya hai ke Chowkidar ji ne chori karvaye hai. Supreme Court ne accept kiya hai ke Rafale mamle mai koi na koi corruption, koi na koi bhrashtachar hua hai. Aur jaise ke mai pehle se keh raha hoon, aagar Rafale mamle mai investigation hua toh do naam hai: Narendra Modi Ji and Anil Ambani. Mujhe bohot khushi ho rahe hai ke jo mai mahino se keh raha hoon ke jo Hindustan ke Pradhan Matri ji ne Air Force ka paisa chori karke Anil Ambani ji ko diya hai, 30,000 crore diya hai. Iss baat ko Supreme Court ne maan liya hai aur vo ab investigation karne ja rahe hai. Mai rooz unko debate ke liye challenge kar raha hoon. Narendra Modi ji Supreme Court ne aapke baare mai kaha hai ke aapne bhrashtachar kiya hai aur aapne Anil Ambani Ji ko paisa diya hai."
Updated 17:10 IST, November 14th 2019