It appears that the increased scrutiny of the Rafale deal has rattled industrialist Anil Ambani, since he has sent legal notices to various Congress leaders, asking them to “cease and desist” from making “unverified, speculative, incorrect, false, frivolous, misleading, derogatory and defamatory statements” about a “sensitive subject relating to national security,” reported ANI.
The notice, sent on behalf of Ambani-led Reliance Infrastructure Ltd, Reliance Defence and Reliance Aerostructure, mentions an article published in India Today which mentions that Congress President Rahul Gandhi has constituted a “six-member committee to expose the BJP on the Rafale deal.”
Certain members of this committee have received the cease and desist notice, along with Punjab Congress leader Sunil Jakhar.
Earlier this month, Ambani had sent a similar notice to The Hindu, asking it to “cease and desist” from publishing “unverified and speculative” about the offset contracts in the Rafale deal.
Defiant Congress leaders Jaiveer Shergill, Priyanka Chaturvedi and Sunil Jakhar took to Twitter to say that they will not be silenced by the notice, and will continue to ask questions about the Rafale deal.
Have received a legal 'Cease & Desist' notice on #RafaleDeal from @reliancegroup
Mr. Anil Ambani, I reiterate, my aeroplane making skills (as demonstrated in Lok Sabha) are better than yours. pic.twitter.com/xFlID5ET6f
— Sunil Jakhar (@sunilkjakhar) August 21, 2018
I have been served a notice too. The promptness that they have shown to send these notices is similar to their eagerness to manufacture defence aircrafts as soon as they formed a company&Modi govt obliged!
But will not be subdued&silenced till we don’t get our answers on the SCAM https://t.co/sE5IJzCion— Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) August 22, 2018
Received “Cease & Desist” Notice from Sh Anil Ambani threatening me with legal consequences if I speak on #RafaleDeal; My reply-I’m a Congress Soldier, a Proud Punjabi who doesn’t get scared with such notices-Tax Payer of this country deserves to know why they paid extra 42000 Cr
— Jaiveer Shergill (@JaiveerShergill) August 22, 2018
Charges of corruption have been levelled against the BJP government in relation to the Rafale Deal. Anil Ambani is also facing heat since his newly formed companies, which have zero experience in defence and aircraft technology manufacturing, were benefitted by the deal.