Key Points
- Delhi High Court rules that PM Modi’s graduation degree cannot be disclosed under RTI.
- Court overturns CIC’s 2016 order allowing access to university records.
- Delhi University argued student data cannot be revealed just to satisfy curiosity.
- Court upholds right to privacy as stronger than the public’s “right to know.”
- DU says it is ready to present degree before court but not release publicly.
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Monday delivered a significant decision in the ongoing debate over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s educational qualification. The court ruled that Delhi University (DU) cannot be forced to publicly disclose details of PM Modi’s Bachelor’s degree under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, stressing that the right to privacy outweighs mere public curiosity.
With this ruling, the High Court set aside the order passed by the Central Information Commission (CIC) in 2016, which had directed Delhi University to allow inspection of records related to the 1978 batch of BA pass-out students a batch in which PM Modi is said to have studied.
Background of the Case
- In 2016, the CIC had directed DU to allow an RTI applicant to verify and inspect details of students who graduated in 1978, citing transparency.
- Delhi University immediately challenged this order before the High Court, leading the court to put the CIC direction on hold in January 2017.
- After prolonged hearings, the High Court has now finalized its verdict in favor of DU, making it clear that disclosure of such personal educational records is not permissible under RTI unless there is larger public interest involved.
University’s Stand: Privacy Over Curiosity
Arguing on behalf of Delhi University, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted that the CIC’s directive should be canceled because disclosure of degrees under RTI would violate an individual’s fundamental right to privacy.
The University emphasized:
- Student records are kept confidential as part of a moral obligation.
- Section 6 of the RTI Act mandates information disclosure only for legitimate public interest, not to satisfy curiosity or political motives.
- DU confirmed it is willing to show PM Modi’s degree in court proceedings if required, but it cannot be released publicly for inspection by “strangers.”
The Court’s Key Observations
- Right to privacy is a fundamental right and cannot be overridden unless there is significant public interest or national importance.
- RTI provisions cannot be misused to access personal files without strong justification.
- The CIC’s 2016 directive had crossed its jurisdiction by allowing bulk inspection of academic records.
Political & Public Reactions
The issue of PM Modi’s degree has been a matter of political controversy for years, often raised by opposition parties accusing lack of transparency.
This ruling is expected to intensify debates, with privacy advocates welcoming it while critics may continue to demand disclosure from the government itself rather than the university.
Final Takeaway
With this verdict, the Delhi High Court has reinforced the principle that privacy comes first under the RTI regime. While the debate around PM Modi’s degree may continue in political circles, legally, Delhi University is not bound to disclose the records under public demand.
