Rafale deal: Ranjan Gogoi refuses to comment on French probe

The Rajya Sabha MP and formerly Chief Justice of India had headed a Supreme Court bench that declined to order an investigation into the same

Ranjan Gogoi: File picture

R. Balaji   |  TT  |   New Delhi   |   05.07.21 :  Justice Ranjan Gogoi, now Rajya Sabha MP and formerly Chief Justice of India who had headed a Supreme Court bench that declined to order a probe into the Rafale deal, said on Sunday that he had no comments to make on the French probe.

“I have nothing to say on the issue. I have no comments to make,” Justice Gogoi told The Telegraph from Guwahati in response to a question on Sunday evening.

On December 14, 2018, the bench of Justices Gogoi, Sanjay Kishan Kaul and K.M. Joseph had dismissed a PIL for a CBI probe into the purchase of 36 Rafale fighter planes. On November 14, 2019, the bench dismissed a review petition on the issue.

However, Justice Joseph had said in a separate opinion in the review verdict that the judicial decision did not bar the CBI from registering an FIR on a complaint, provided prior approval was obtained in line with the Prevention of Corruption Act that covers public servants.

Justice Joseph concurred with the views of the other two judges that the court has limited jurisdiction to go into a government contract.

But the CBI has not proceeded to register an FIR till date.

Justice Gogoi retired on November 17, 2019. President Ram Nath Kovind nominated him to the Rajya Sabha on March 16, 2020.