New Delhi
The Delhi High Court on Monday set aside a Central Information Commission (CIC) order directing disclosure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s academic records from Delhi University, ruling that such information need not be made public.
Justice Sachin Datta delivered the judgment, bringing an end—for now—to an eight-year-old legal battle over a 2016 Right to Information (RTI) plea. The applicant had sought access to the academic records of all students enrolled in the 1978 Bachelor of Arts course, the year PM Modi is said to have graduated, as per his election affidavits.
The CIC had earlier held that the Prime Minister’s degree details must be disclosed, calling such records public documents and stressing transparency in the case of public figures. Delhi University challenged this order, arguing that releasing details would compromise the privacy of thousands of students.
Represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, DU maintained that disclosing bulk academic data could set a dangerous precedent. Mehta further argued that requests for the PM’s records were politically motivated. However, he added that DU was prepared to submit the documents to the court for review, but not for public release.
Activists countered that a degree is a qualification granted by the state and cannot be treated as private information, particularly when held by the country’s top elected leader. They insisted the RTI Act does not permit denial based on an applicant’s identity or motives.
The case may now proceed to the Supreme Court if appealed.
