The Delhi High Court on Thursday reserved its decision on the plea filed by Delhi University (DU) challenging the 2017 Central Information Commission (CIC) order that directed the varsity to disclose details of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s degree.
Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta, appearing for DU, asserted that while the university has no reservations in presenting the degree before the court, it will not expose university records to the scrutiny of strangers.
“We have nothing to hide. DU has no objection in showing the original degree for BA in 1978 to the Court… but I will not expose university records to the scrutiny of strangers who are here either for publicity or for some oblique political motive,” Mehta argued before Justice Sachin Datta.
The controversy dates back to 2016 when then Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal urged PM Modi to publicly disclose his educational qualifications. Subsequently, Aam Aadmi Party supporter Neeraj Sharma filed an RTI seeking details of Modi’s degree. DU denied the request, citing privacy concerns and lack of public interest.
In 2017, DU approached the High Court, challenging the CIC’s order to disclose the register containing the names of students who graduated in 1978. The court had stayed the order, noting that universities hold student records in a “fiduciary capacity.”
During Thursday’s hearing, Mehta emphasized that the “right to privacy supersedes the right to know” under Article 21 of the Constitution, citing the Supreme Court’s Puttaswamy judgment on privacy rights.
“Somebody has passed out in 1978. It is not relatable to his public duty. You are wanting to use it for political purposes,” Mehta contended, adding that universities cannot be flooded with requests for old records.
He also criticized the alleged misuse of the RTI Act, stating, “RTI cannot be used as a tool to intimidate officers. Public authorities will not be able to function if such applications are entertained.”
The High Court, after hearing arguments from all parties, has reserved its verdict on the matter.
