The Delhi High Court on Thursday reserved its verdict on Delhi University’s plea challenging the Central Information Commission’s (CIC) directive to disclose details of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s bachelor’s degree.
Justice Sachin Datta, after hearing arguments from both sides, stated, “Arguments heard. Judgment reserved.”
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing Delhi University, argued that the CIC order should be set aside, asserting that the information was held in a fiduciary capacity and could not be disclosed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. However, he clarified that DU had no issue presenting the records before the court.
“University has no objection in showing the record to the court. There is a degree from 1978, Bachelor of Arts,” Mehta stated.
The matter originated from an RTI application filed by Neeraj, following which the CIC, on December 21, 2016, directed DU to allow the inspection of records for all students who cleared the BA exam in 1978, the same year PM Modi is said to have graduated. However, the high court stayed the CIC order on January 23, 2017.
On February 11, Delhi University reiterated its stance, stating that mere curiosity did not constitute public interest and that such RTI queries had turned into a “joke,” seeking details of all students from the 1978 batch.