Delhi High Court Sets Aside CIC Order on PM Modi’s Degree Disclosure

The Delhi High Court has ruled that Delhi University is not required to disclose Prime Minister Narendra Modi's degree or academic records from 1978. This decision overturns a previous order by the Central Information Commission (CIC) that called for the release of these details following a Right to Information (RTI) request.

The legal dispute began with an RTI application in 2016, which sought the academic records of all Bachelor of Arts students from Delhi University in 1978, the year PM Modi graduated according to his election submissions. The university denied this request, citing privacy concerns and rules against sharing third-party information.

Privacy Concerns and Legal Arguments

Delhi University challenged the CIC's order, arguing that releasing such information would violate the privacy rights of thousands of students. Tushar Mehta, the Solicitor General of India, represented the university in court, emphasizing that disclosing these records could set a dangerous precedent affecting public authorities' operations.

Mehta argued that individuals requesting the records might be motivated by political interests or seeking publicity. He suggested that while the university was willing to present the records for court inspection, they should not be made public.

Public Interest vs. Privacy

Activists advocating for transparency argued that a degree is a state-granted qualification and not a private matter. They maintained that PM Modi's educational qualifications are of significant public interest and should be accessible under transparency laws, which do not consider an applicant's identity or intent.

The CIC had previously stated that educational qualifications of public figures, especially those holding high office like the Prime Minister, should be transparent. It also considered the register containing this information as a public document.

Potential Supreme Court Appeal

This legal battle has persisted for nearly ten years and may proceed to the Supreme Court upon appeal. The high court reserved its judgment on February 27 and delivered its decision on August 25, siding with Delhi University's stance on privacy over public disclosure.

The case highlights ongoing tensions between privacy rights and transparency demands concerning public figures' educational backgrounds. As it stands, Delhi University will not have to share PM Modi's academic details unless further legal developments arise.