Govt perjurious, alleges Congress

New Delhi: Alleging that the Centre had provided false information to the Supreme Court on the Rafale issue, the Congress Party on Sunday requested the apex court to recall its judgment in the matter and issue notices to the government for contempt of court and perjury.

Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma alleged  that the government is guilty of committing breach of privilege of both houses of Parlia-ment by claiming that the CAG report on Rafale aircraft pricing had been presented to the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament.

Taking a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party, Mr Sharma said, “They should seek penance and take a dip in the holy Ganges instead.”

“We demand that the Supreme Court immediately recall that judgment which is void. It would be in the interest of the dignity of the Supreme Court to do so, because this entire episode has dented the dignity of the highest court which cannot be allowed,” he said.

The Rajya Sabha MP further said that it was important that the Supreme Court issues a notice of perjury to the government and the concerned officials and the law officers. The Supreme Court must also issue contempt notice to the government, he said.

The Supreme Court had on Friday dismissed the Rafale pleas arguing there was no occasion to “really doubt the decision-making process” warranting setting aside of the defence contract for purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets.

The court has in the judgment made a reference to a CAG report on the aircraft deal. It has said the CAG report was examined by the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament.

However, the Congress has claimed that the government presented wrong facts before the court during the hearing of pleas challenging the aircraft deal with France.