NewsBytes
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    More
    In the news
    Supreme Court Of India
    Central Bureau Of Investigation (CBI)
    Indian Army
    Indian Railways
    Indian Air Force
    NewsBytes
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    NewsBytes
    User Placeholder

    Hi,

    Logout


    India Business World Politics Sports Technology Entertainment Auto Lifestyle Inspirational Career Bengaluru Delhi Mumbai Visual Stories Find Cricket Statistics Phones Reviews Fitness Bands Reviews Speakers Reviews

    Download Android App

    Follow us on
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Linkedin
     
    Home / News / India News / Now, Attorney General says Rafale documents weren't "stolen" but "copied"
    India

    Now, Attorney General says Rafale documents weren't "stolen" but "copied"

    Now, Attorney General says Rafale documents weren't "stolen" but "copied"
    Written by Shalini Ojha
    Mar 09, 2019, 11:49 am 3 min read
    Now, Attorney General says Rafale documents weren't "stolen" but "copied"

    Two days after he told the Supreme Court that classified documents related to Rafale Deal were "stolen" from Ministry of Defense, Attorney General KK Venugopal on Friday clarified that the papers were in fact "photocopied". Taking an obvious U-turn, Venugopal said, "Statement that files have been stolen is wholly incorrect." His comments in the apex court stirred a political slugfest, with Congress President Rahul Gandhi leading the attack.

    Backstory: Rafale was discussed in SC, again

    On Wednesday, an SC bench headed by CJI Ranjan Gogoi and including Justices SK Kaul and KM Joseph heard a petition seeking a review into an earlier verdict. The court had earlier dismissed petitions demanding a probe into the multi-crore Rafale deal, saying the process satisfied them. But former Union Ministers Yashwant Sinha, Arun Shourie, and lawyer Prashant Bhushan weren't pleased with the judgment.

    The curious case of missing Rafale papers

    The petitioners brought reports published in The Hindu, to the court's attention. The newspaper published documents to prove the deal which Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA struck with France, was more expensive than the one which UPA inked. However, Venugopal asked the court to dismiss the fresh plea saying classified documents were "stolen". He added an "investigation" into the matter has been initiated.

    Venugopal does damage control after "stolen" statement

    Though Venugopal didn't name media houses initially, he said later, "Documents in the possession of The Hindu and ANI are stolen documents." The government also threatened to take action against the two publications under the Official Secrets Act. But on Friday, rushing to contain the damage, Venugopal told PTI, the petitioners "had annexed three documents which were photocopies of the originals."

    Statement about stolen files incorrect: Venugopal

    "I am told that the Opposition has alleged what was argued (in SC) was that files had been stolen from the Defense Ministry. This is wholly incorrect. The statement that files have been stolen is wholly incorrect," the Attorney General told PTI.

    Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman endorses Venugopal's statements

    2. The Learned AG told @PTI_News "I am told that the opposition has alleged what was argued (in SC) was that files had been stolen from the Defence Ministry. This is wholly incorrect. The statement that files have been stolen is wholly incorrect.” #Rafale

    — Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) March 8, 2019

    Flaying with Centre, Rahul Gandhi demanded an investigation

    After Venugopal made the peculiar admission in court, RaGa wasted no time in attacking PM Modi. Addressing press, he said this government specialized in "making things disappear". He even said statements of government's representative confirmed the papers were authentic. He added PM Modi ran parallel negotiations to help Anil Ambani and an investigation against him should be launched.

    Separately, Mayawati said PM Modi should apologize to nation

    pic.twitter.com/Pz953uMmUX

    — Mayawati (@Mayawati) March 7, 2019

    Meanwhile, Chidambaram says thief may have "returned documents"

    Unsurprisingly, the latest comments of Venugopal gave the Opposition a chance to slam Centre. Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram tweeted, "On Wednesday, it was 'stolen documents'. On Friday, it was 'photocopied documents'. I suppose the thief returned the documents in between on Thursday." In another tweet, he said after Official Secrets Act, "Olive Branch Act" was shown. "We salute common sense," Chidambaram tweeted.

    Share this timeline
    Facebook
    Whatsapp
    Twitter
    Linkedin
    Supreme Court Of India
    Rahul Gandhi
    Ranjan Gogoi
    KK Venugopal

    Supreme Court Of India

    Bengal: Dead lizard in mid-day meal makes 35 children ill  West Bengal
    Supreme Court rejects PIL seeking new Parliament inauguration by President Narendra Modi
    SC grants interim bail to Satyendar Jain on medical grounds Satyendar Jain
    Rs. 75 coin to mark new Parliament launch amid boycott Narendra Modi

    Rahul Gandhi

    Karnataka cabinet expansion: These 24 MLAs swearing-in today as ministers Siddaramaiah
    Court grants Rahul Gandhi permission to obtain fresh passport  Delhi
    Delhi HC rejects Gandhis, AAP's plea against I-T assessment transfer Delhi High Court
    Karnataka: Cabinet expansion likely on Saturday with 24 more ministers Siddaramaiah

    Ranjan Gogoi

    TMC MPs move privilege motion against ex-CJI Ranjan Gogoi Trinamool Congress
    Sexual harassment case: SC doesn't rule out conspiracy against ex-CJI Supreme Court Of India
    Amid chants of shame, former CJI Ranjan Gogoi takes oath Supreme Court Of India
    Justice Lokur on Gogoi's RS nomination: Has last bastion fallen? Ministry Of Home Affairs

    KK Venugopal

    Mukul Rohatgi set to return as Attorney General for India Mukul Rohatgi
    Kunal Kamra refuses to apologize for his jokes on SC Twitter
    Will Kunal Kamra face contempt proceedings? SC to decide tomorrow Supreme Court Of India
    'No apology,' says Kunal Kamra on contempt charges against him Supreme Court Of India

    Love India News?

    Subscribe to stay updated.

    India Thumbnail
    Indian Premier League (IPL) Celebrity Hollywood Bollywood UEFA Champions League Tennis Football Smartphones Cryptocurrency Upcoming Movies Premier League Cricket News Latest automobiles Latest Cars Upcoming Cars Latest Bikes Upcoming Tablets
    About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Contact Us Ethical Conduct Grievance Redressal News News Archive Topics Archive Download DevBytes Find Cricket Statistics
    Follow us on
    Facebook Twitter Linkedin
    All rights reserved © NewsBytes 2023