The news flashed late on Saturday evening (IST) by Mediapart.fr, the famed French investigative journalism website that a judge has been appointed by the National Financial Prosecutor’s Office (PNF) of France to probe the Rafale deal that once kicked off a strong political storm in India can be best described as ‘truly sensational’. According to Mediapart, the investigation process has commenced from June 14 last and although there might be speculations why it took nearly 3 weeks for a ‘wide dissemination’ of the news of the case that involves a transaction of approximately Rs 59,000 cr and saw a dismissal of an investigation plea by the Supreme Court of India, it’s beyond doubt that a renewed general and political interest will be generated, both in India and France. But beyond the thrill that is now palpable, it’s the outcome of the investigation that will matter enormously for a number of political heavyweights in the country. If something ‘negative’ surfaces, it goes without saying that the political ramifications will be far-reaching.

Since much has been discussed about the deal, an inter-governmental one signed almost 5 years back in 2016, naming the individuals or corporate personalities involved is not necessary. Rather, it’s necessary to extend kudos to Mediapart for giving a fresh coat of paint over the now rather off-colour school of investigative journalism, various ‘students’ of which from time to time have churned out so many scintillating true accounts that have changed the colours of so many governments across the globe. It was based on a series of reports on the Rafale deal in April this year by Mediapart, NGO Sherpa, which works with the objective of extending support to the victims of financial crimes, lodged the said complaint in the same month with the PNF seeking a judicial investigation of alleged corruption and favouritism. It’s pertinent to mention that ‘corruption, influence peddling, money laundering, favouritism and undue tax wavering’ were the four specific allegations the anti-corruption NGO mentioned in its complaint with a Paris tribunal that gave the green signal, prompting the PNF to take up the case which it initially refused. The refusal proved to be a much-talked-about issue in France and Mediapart even went on to accuse it of “burying” the probe. Back in India, with the apex court in November 2019 turning down the petitions for a probe on reasons of 'lack of merit' with the observation that “a roving and fishing enquiry” is not necessary, the Rafale issue lost all its excitement.

However, with the reopening of the closed chapter, the excitement that has all the ingredients to generate a high-Fahrenheit political heat has made a reentry. Time to salute investigative journalism.