Wait to find PM Modi's degree continues as Delhi HC sets aside CIC order to disclose info

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Monday set aside an order of the Central Information Commission (CIC) directing disclosure of information on the bachelor's degree of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Justice Sachin Datta, who reserved the judgement on February 27, passed the verdict on Delhi University's plea challenging the CIC order, reported PTI.

Following an RTI application by RTI Activist Neeraj Kumar, the CIC on December 21, 2016, allowed inspection of records of all students who cleared the BA exam in 1978 -- the year Prime Minister Modi also passed it.

DU filed the plea in 2017 against CIC's order which allowed inspection of records of the students who had passed BA programme in 1978, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also stated to have cleared the examination. The order was stayed on the first date of hearing on January 24 in 2017.

Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta had appeared for the varsity and submitted that the impugned order passed by CIC was liable to be set aside. He said that he has no objection in showing the record to the court. There is a degree from 1978, bachelor of art, he said.

The SG further added that the varsity had no reservation in showing the degree to the Court but cannot put the record for scrutiny by strangers.

He had also submitted that mere curiosity is not enough to approach RTI forums, LiveLaw reported.

On the other hand, Senior Advocate Sanjay Hegde appeared for RTI applicant Neeraj and had submitted that the information as sought in the matter would normally be published by any University and used to be published on notice boards, varsity's website and even newspapers.

He had also opposed the submission made by SG Mehta that information of students was held by a university in a “fiduciary capacity” and could not be divulged “to a stranger” as the same is exempted from disclosure in law.