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Rafale deal: Explain choice of offset partner, give us details of pricing in 10 days, SC tells govt

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8 years ago

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Rafale Deal

The Narendra Modi government, which has so far focused on rhetoric rather than answer questions being raised about the controversial Indo-France Rafale deal, was told by the Supreme Court today (Wednesday, October 31) to submit within 10 days the details of pricing and the selection of Anil Ambani’s defence firm as Indian offset partner in a sealed cover.

It said these details should also be provided to the petitioners in the case. Otherwise, the Centre should file an affidavit – within these 10 days – to say that the pricing in the Rafale fighter jet deal between India and France is exclusive and cannot be shared with the court.

“Court would also like to be appraised about the pricing” of the aircraft, “particularly the advantages thereof”, a bench of Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi and Justices UU Lalit and KM Joseph ordered.

“We would like the details of pricing and cost to be submitted to the Supreme Court in a sealed cover. This may be submitted in the next 10 days,” said the court.

The government argued that pricing was not revealed in Parliament and the earlier government had also not disclosed such details. Chief Justice Gogoi said the government could file an affidavit or legal document in court.

“If pricing is something exclusive and you are not sharing it with us, please file an affidavit and say so,” the bench told Attorney General KK Venugopal in its oral observations.

“Such details that may be considered strategic may not be furnished to the petitioners,” said the court.

Beginning the hearing, the judges made the observation that the suitability of the jet and its utility has not been questioned. “What had been questioned is the bonafide of the decision-making and price,” they said.

In the last hearing earlier this month, the court had asked the government to furnish details of the decision-making process that led to the deal which has Anil Ambani’s Reliance Defence as its offset partner, but had emphasized that it would not get into “pricing or suitability” of the jets. The bench had made clear that its direction to the Centre was issued to satisfy itself about the legitimacy of the decision-making process for procuring 36 Rafale fighter jets.

The directions were passed on October 10 on the two PILs filed by lawyers ML Sharma and Vineet Dhanda. The top court, however, had observed that the averments made in the two PILs were “grossly inadequate” and had said that it was not issuing the notice on them.

The Centre had, last week, filed the papers concerning the decision-making process with the Supreme Court’s registry in a sealed cover.

On Wednesday, as the SC bench, headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and also comprising Justices UU Lalit and KM Joseph, began its proceedings in the two PILs filed over the Rafale Deal controversy – by petitioners ML Sharma, who has named Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the respondent in the case, and Vineet Dhanda – it noted that since the last date of hearing in the matter, two more litigations on the subject had been received by the court – one by former BJP leaders Arun Shourie, Yashwant Sinha and advocate Prashant Bhushan and the other by Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh.

Sinha and Shourie – both former Union ministers – and Bhushan have sought registration of an FIR into the fighter jet deal between India and France alleging “criminal misconduct” by high public functionaries. The trio has also sought a direction to CBI to investigate the offences mentioned in their complaint in a “time-bound” manner and submit periodic status reports to the apex court.

AAP MP Sanjay Singh, in his separate plea filed through lawyer Dheeraj Kumar Singh, has sought setting up of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the supervision of the apex court to probe the Rafale deal.

He has sought that the SIT should probe the reasons for cancellation of earlier deal entered into by the UPA government for the purchase of 126 fighter jets.

On October 10, the bench had sought from the Attorney General the details of the steps involved in the decision leading to the new deal. The CJI led bench had then clarified that the details so sought would not cover the pricing or the suitability of the equipment for the Indian Air Force, bearing in mind the sensitive nature of the matter.

The Court also directed the government to hand over the details of the decision-making process of the deal to the petitioners.

The Attorney General objected to sharing of details of the deal including its pricing, by stating that it would be covered under the Official Secrets Act. Considering the objection, the Court said that whatever documents that could be legitimately produced in public domain should be given to the petitioners and all other documents covered under the Official Secrets Act should be given to the Court in a sealed cover.

So far, the court had not sought this detail from the Centre.

When Bhushan pressed for CBI probe, the CJI replied: “For CBI probe, you have to wait.”

The top court, which has now fixed the matter for hearing on November 14, said documents considered strategic and confidential may not be shared.

The PIL alleges that in the Rafale deal there is prima facie evidence of the commission of cognizable offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act by public servants occupying the highest of public offices in the country. Though the petitioners had filed a complaint on October 4 before the CBI alleging foul play in Rafale deal, no action has been taken.

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Udhayanidhi Stalin arrested over remarks on actor Trisha, says he will fight case legally

Tamil Nadu Police arrested Udhayanidhi Stalin from his Chennai home over controversial remarks on actor Trisha. He termed the arrest a “joke” and said he would challenge it legally.

Published

34 mins ago

on

August 4, 2026

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Tamil Nadu Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin was arrested from his Chennai residence on Tuesday after his remarks about actor Trisha at a public rally sparked a political controversy.

The arrest comes a day after comments made by the DMK leader during a protest meeting in Thanjavur drew criticism from political parties, leading to complaints and demands for legal action.

Udhayanidhi calls arrest a ‘joke’

Udhayanidhi Stalin was seen smiling as police escorted him from his residence following the arrest. Speaking briefly, he described the police action as a “joke” and said he would challenge it through legal means.

Controversy began during Thanjavur rally

The controversy began during a protest gathering over the Cauvery water dispute in Thanjavur on Monday.

While criticising Chief Minister Joseph Vijay over the state’s water concerns, members of the crowd shouted actor Trisha’s name. Udhayanidhi paused his speech and responded with what critics described as an offensive double entendre, triggering widespread backlash.

DMK alleges political vendetta

The DMK criticised the arrest and alleged that it was politically motivated.

Party leader TKS Elangovan said Udhayanidhi had only highlighted the Chief Minister’s failures and had neither insulted anyone nor mentioned Trisha by name. According to the party, the arrest amounts to political vendetta.

TVK defends action, says issue is about insulting a woman

Rejecting the DMK’s allegations, TVK leader Americai Narayanan said the arrest was not linked to criticism of the Chief Minister or the party.

According to him, the action was taken because Udhayanidhi allegedly insulted a woman through his remarks. He also criticised the DMK leader over the controversy.

Earlier, TVK had submitted a complaint to the National Commission for Women (NCW) seeking action against Udhayanidhi Stalin. The party also filed a police complaint.

In its complaint, TVK alleged that Udhayanidhi used offensive, double-meaning remarks and vulgar innuendos targeting a prominent female public figure. The party further stated that such remarks normalise the objectification and verbal harassment of women in public spaces.

BJP also demanded arrest

The Tamil Nadu BJP had also demanded Udhayanidhi Stalin’s arrest over the remarks.

State BJP chief spokesperson Narayanan Thirupathy described the comments as “disgusting, obscene, vulgar, and shameful” and said legal action against the DMK leader would be appropriate.

Similar controversy in the past

The controversy has once again brought attention to repeated public remarks involving actor Trisha in political debates.

According to the source, since rumours about Vijay and Trisha’s relationship surfaced, political and film personalities have made comments about the actor on multiple occasions.

Earlier this year, Tamil Nadu BJP leader Nainar Nagendran had remarked that Vijay should “come out of Trisha’s house” before entering politics. Trisha’s legal team had responded to those comments at the time.

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TVK seeks NCW action against Udhayanidhi Stalin over remarks on actor Trisha

TVK has written to the NCW seeking action against Udhayanidhi Stalin over his remarks on actor Trisha, demanding a public apology, legal action and statewide protests.

Published

3 hours ago

on

August 4, 2026

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The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has approached the National Commission for Women (NCW) seeking action against Tamil Nadu Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin over his remarks about actor Trisha during a public rally in Thanjavur.

Describing the comments as “deeply troubling and offensive”, the party alleged that the former deputy chief minister used objectionable language targeting a woman from a public platform. TVK has also announced plans to hold statewide protests over the issue.

TVK alleges remarks objectified a woman

The controversy stems from a protest meeting on the Cauvery water dispute held in Thanjavur on Monday. During his address, Udhayanidhi Stalin criticised Chief Minister Joseph Vijay, alleging that Tamil Nadu had not received Cauvery water while the chief minister remained unconcerned.

According to TVK, the meeting took a controversial turn after members of the audience chanted actor Trisha’s name. The party alleged that Udhayanidhi responded with an offensive double entendre, triggering widespread criticism.

In its complaint to the NCW, TVK said the remarks amounted to “offensive, double-meaning remarks and vulgar innuendos” directed at a prominent female public figure. The party argued that such language from a senior political leader normalises the objectification and verbal harassment of women in public spaces.

Party demands apology and legal action

TVK urged the NCW to take cognisance of the incident and issue a notice to Udhayanidhi Stalin, stating that the remarks were inconsistent with the standards of decorum expected from public representatives.

The party also demanded an unconditional public apology from the DMK leader for what it described as objectifying and vulgar rhetoric. In addition, TVK called for a police case to be registered against him, alleging that the remarks outraged the modesty of women.

Political reactions intensify

The incident drew strong reactions from both TVK and the BJP.

TVK MLA Rhevanth Charan described the remarks as “absolutely disgusting”, saying such comments reflected a decline in political standards and were unacceptable.

Tamil Nadu BJP chief spokesperson Narayanan Thirupathy also criticised Udhayanidhi Stalin, calling the remarks “disgusting, obscene, vulgar and shameful”. He further demanded that legal action be taken against the Leader of Opposition.

Earlier controversy involving Trisha

The latest episode comes amid previous controversies involving actor Trisha in political discourse. Earlier this year, Tamil Nadu BJP leader Nainar Nagendran had remarked that Chief Minister Joseph Vijay should “come out of Trisha’s house” before entering politics. Trisha’s legal team had responded to those comments at the time.

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NDA’s Mangal Milan meeting today to discuss Monsoon Session strategy, PM Modi likely to attend

The NDA Parliamentary Party will hold its ‘Mangal Milan’ meeting on Tuesday to discuss strategy for the remaining Monsoon Session, while the Centre has introduced the Indian Statistical Institute Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha.

Published

5 hours ago

on

August 4, 2026

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Parliament

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Parliamentary Party is scheduled to hold its ‘Mangal Milan’ meeting on Tuesday at the Parliament Library Building (PLB) to finalise the ruling alliance’s floor strategy for the remaining 10 days of the Monsoon Session.

According to a note circulated by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office in Parliament, all NDA members of both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have been requested to attend the meeting and reach the venue on time. The programme will begin at 9:30 am at the GMC Balayogi Auditorium.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to participate in the meeting along with Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh, and other NDA Members of Parliament.

‘Mangal Milan’ is NDA’s rebranded weekly strategy session

The ‘Mangal Milan’ meeting is described as the rebranded version of the NDA’s weekly parliamentary party strategy session. It is aimed at promoting constructive discussions and ensuring better coordination among alliance partners during the ongoing Parliament session.

The meeting comes as Parliament continues discussions on key legislative business and government proposals during the Monsoon Session.

Centre introduces Indian Statistical Institute Bill, 2026

Meanwhile, the Centre on Monday introduced the Indian Statistical Institute Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha.

Union Minister Rao Indrajit Singh introduced the Bill, which seeks to repeal and replace the Indian Statistical Institute Act, 1959, while retaining the institute’s status as an Institution of National Importance.

The proposed legislation aims to convert the existing society into an autonomous statutory body corporate and provide a modern statutory framework for the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI).

It also seeks to broaden the scope of Statistical Sciences by including fields such as theoretical and applied statistics, mathematics, economics, data science, computer science, other quantitative sciences, quantitative social sciences, and modern technologies including cryptology and related disciplines.

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