We are not issuing any notice to the government, we only want to be satisfied about the legitimacy of the decision-making process. The SC bench also clarified that it does not want information on pricing and technical details of the Rafale deal: SC

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought details of the decision-making process that resulted in award of Rafale Jet purchase deal to French firm Dassault Aviation in a sealed cover.

A bench of CJI Ranjan Gogoi and Justices SK Kaul and KM Joseph made it clear that it is not expressing any opinion on the suitability of the Rafale aircraft to the defence forces.

"We are not issuing any notice to the government, we only want to be satisfied about the legitimacy of the decision-making process," the bench said.

The bench also clarified that it does not want information on pricing and technical details of the Rafale deal.

The court sought information from the Centre by October 29, and fixed the PILs for hearing on October 31.

The Centre opposed the PILs on Rafale deal sought their dismissal on ground that they have been filed to gain political mileage.

Attorney general KK Venugopal said people are selectively quoting the questions answered in Parliament to file PILs which are in real political interest petitions.

"These political interest petitions are filed on the eve of elections when the government and opposition are locked in a bitter fight over the Rafale jet deal," he told the court.

The top court clarified that it is not taking into account the allegations made in the petitions.