The government on Wednesday claimed that the “dissent note” by three of a seven-member negotiating team for the Rafale deal was stolen from the defence ministry and pleaded with the Supreme Court not to take cognisance of it to order a CBI probe as this would delay procurement of fifth generation fighter jets — a necessity after the recent (Pulwama) developments.
Referring to documents cited by petitioners Prashant Bhushan, Arun Shourie and Yashwant Sinha, which have been published by two media houses, attorney general K K Venugopal said, “I am objecting as these secret documents are stolen from defence ministry, whether by present or past public servants. Investigations are going on. We will be taking criminal action.” Later, the AG clarified that the government would not take action against journalists or lawyers who used the documents.

The government on Wednesday claimed that the “dissent note” by three of a seven-member negotiating team for the Rafale deal was stolen from the defence ministry and pleaded with the Supreme Court not to take cognisance of it to order a CBI probe as this would delay procurement of fifth generation fighter jets — a necessity after the recent (Pulwama) developments.
Referring to documents cited by petitioners Prashant Bhushan, Arun Shourie and Yashwant Sinha, which have been published by two media houses, attorney general K K Venugopal said, “I am objecting as these secret documents are stolen from defence ministry, whether by present or past public servants. Investigations are going on. We will be taking criminal action.” Later, the AG clarified that the government would not take action against journalists or lawyers who used the documents.