The current revelation in a French media portal that one million euros were paid to a “middleman” in the deal to buy 36 Rafale jets has once again raised the issue of kickbacks and other illegal payments in the Rafale deal.  The report is based on an analysis of the Dassault company’s accounts of 2017. 

The dogged refusal by the Modi government to order a probe into the Rafale deal raises suspicion that it has something to  hide in the matter.  The CAG audit report could not obviously look into the issue of illegal payments. 

The CPI(M) demands the institution of a high-level investigation into the whole business of cancellation of the earlier order and the fresh order for 36 planes at a higher cost.