Documents linked to Rafale deal stolen from Defence Ministry: Centre tells SC

New Delhi: Documents linked to the Rafale deal have been stolen, the Supreme Court was told on Wednesday as it was hearing a petition seeking to review its earlier verdict of alleged corruption in the Rafale jet procurement process, said a media report.
The petitioners are violating the Official Secrets Act by relying on classified documents, the government told the Supreme Court as its notice was drawn to a newspaper report.
“These documents were stolen from the Defence Ministry either by former or present employees. These are secret documents and can’t be in the public domain,” Attorney General KK Venugopal told the court, representing the central government.
Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi questioned what action the government had taken, reported NDTV.
“We are investigating how these documents were stolen,” said the centre, accusing a newspaper of relying on these classified documents.
“It is a criminal offence. We are objecting preliminary because secret documents can’t be annexed with the petition. Review and perjury petitions must be dismissed,” said the Attorney General.