Rafale fighter jets, manufactured by France-based Dassault Aviation, are twin-engine multi-role fighter aircraft. These are nuclear capable and can engage in both air-to-air and air-to-ground attacks.
The Air Marshal was briefed about the safety procedures before the flight. He also flew a sortie in a simulator to acclimatize with the aircraft systems and handling procedures.
The Supreme Court on Monday reopened after 6 days and it is expected to deliver verdicts on some of the key issues that have been pending since long. The important issues include the Rafale deal case, the Sabarimala temple case and the verdict on bringing the office of the Chief Justice of India (CJI) under the right to information act. Besides, the court will also take up some crucial matters for hearing, including the one related to sexual harassment allegations against the CJI.
A replica of the Rafale fighter aircraft has been put up outside the official residence of Air Chief Marshal B.S. Dhanoa, which is attracting huge attention. The replica has come up right across from the Congress headquarters at 24, Akbar Road.
"The chowkidar is a thief and is frightened since he will be exposed in the debate. He will not be able to show his face to the country," Rahul Gandhi said.
The Centre has told the Supreme Court that "categorical and emphatic" findings recorded by the top court in its December 14 last year verdict in the Rafale deal case has no apparent error warranting its review.
Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Monday expressed regret again for "incorrectly" attributing his 'chowkidar chor hai' remark to the Supreme Court and accused BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi of trying to drag the court into a political controversy for "personal gains and political mileage" by moving the contempt petition against him.
Rahul Gandhi admitted yesterday that he had misquoted the Supreme Court after its ruling on the Rafale deal and said he had done it as "rhetorical flourish in the heat of political campaigning", without having seen, read or analysed the order.
"I am happy and I have been saying so for months that Hindustan’s PM has given the air force money to (industrialist) Anil Ambani, and the SC has accepted it. The SC is going to investigate it," he said.
Sitharaman claimed that Rahul Gandhi at a public rally today said PM Modi has been proven to be guilty of corruption in the Rafale fighter jet deal and of giving air force money to Anil Ambani.
Congress attacks PM Modi over Rafale Deal, demand JPC into the case
SC dismisses Centre's objection on Rafale Deal, says it will fix date for hearing review petitions
Venugopal's comments in the apex court on Wednesday that Rafale fighter jet deal documents were stolen caused a political row, with Rahul Gandhi targeting the government over stealing of such sensitive papers and seeking a criminal investigation.
"We can understand you saying that petitioners came with unclean hands. That they got the documents through doubtful sources. But it is another thing to say that the court cannot consider these documents at all. That they are untouchable," a bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi observed.
The Congress on Saturday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleging that the country witnessed his "monologue, fake bravado and narcissistic lies", as Rahul Gandhi accused him of being "solely responsible" for the delay in arrival of Rafale jets.
"The prayer for open Court hearing is allowed", the bench said.
The Supreme Court will hear on February 26 the two petitions seeking review of its December 14 verdict that had dismissed pleas challenging the deal between India and France for procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets.
An apex court bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices L N Rao and Sanjiv Khanna, said four applications or petitions have been filed in the Rafale matter and one of them is still lying with the registry on account of defect.
The French govt's strong assertion comes a day after CAG report on the Rafale deal signed by the Modi government to procure 36 fighter jets from France's Dassault got 2.86 per cent cheaper price than UPA in 2007.
Now that Rahul Gandhi has rejected both the Supreme Court's verdict and the CAG report, it is quite clear that he wants to make Rafale an election issue.
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