New Delhi, August 25 (HS): The Delhi High Court has quashed a Central Information Commission (CIC) order directing disclosure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s academic degrees, allowing an appeal filed by Delhi University. The order was passed by Justice Sachin Datta’s bench, which had reserved its judgment on February 27.

During the hearing, Delhi University, represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, argued that the institution maintained annual registers and had “nothing to hide,” but it could not be compelled to produce the degree before any “stranger.” He asserted that while the court could be shown the degree, disclosure to outsiders was not permissible.

On the other hand, counsel for the petitioner, advocate Shadan Farasat, contended that under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, seeking a student’s degree was a matter of public interest, not a private issue, and the university being a public authority could not deny information based on the applicant’s intent.

The case was initiated when AAP member Neeraj Sharma sought details of Modi’s educational qualifications under RTI. Delhi University refused, terming it “personal information” with no element of public interest. The CIC later imposed a ₹25,000 penalty on the university’s Public Information Officer, Minakshi Sahay, and directed disclosure of the degree. That order has now been set aside by the High Court.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar