(Ranjan Gogoi, C.J. and Sanjay Kishan Kaul and K.M. Joseph, JJ.)
Manohar Lal Sharma ________________________________ Petitioner
v.
Narendra Damodardas Modi & Ors. ________________ Respondent(s)
Writ Petition(s)(Criminal) No(s). 225/2018, decided on October 10, 2018
(For Admission and IA No. 127230/2018-Clarification/Direction and IA No. 127217/2018-Permission to Appear and Argue in Person and IA No. 127221/2018-Appropriate Orders/Directions)
With
W.P.(C) No(s). 290/2018 W.P.(C) No. 1205/2018 (PIL-W) (for Admission)
The Order of the court was delivered by
Order
W.P.(C) No(s). 290/2018
1. Learned counsel for the petitioner, on instructions, seeks permission to withdraw this writ petition.
2. Permission granted.
3. The writ petition is dismissed as withdrawn.
W.P.(Crl.) No. 225/2018 and W.P.(C) No. 1205/2018
4. Permission to argue in person is granted in Writ Petition (Crl.) No. 225 of 2018.
5. We have heard the petitioner-in-person and the learned counsels for the parties. We are of the view that the following order would be appropriate at this stage.
6. We make it clear that we are not issuing any notice at this stage on either of the writ petitions filed under Article 32 of the Constitution. However, we would like to be apprised by the Government of India of the details of the steps in the decision making process leading to the award of the order for the defence equipment in question i.e. Rafale Jet-Fighters (36 in number).
7. We also make it clear that while requiring the Government of India to act in the above terms we have not taken into account any of the averments made in the writ petitions which appear to be inadequate and deficient. Our above order is only for the purpose of satisfying ourselves in the matter.
8. We also make it clear that the steps in the decision making process that we would like to be apprised of would not cover the issue of pricing or the question of technical suitability of the equipment for purposes of the requirement of the Indian Air Force.
9. The requisite information sought for will be placed before the Court in three separate sealed covers on or before 29th October, 2018 which shall be filed with the learned Secretary General of this Court and not in the Registry.
10. List the matters on 31st October, 2018.
———
