Information related to PM Modi's graduation degree will not be disclosed, Delhi High Court cancels CIC order

The Delhi High Court has cancelled the order of the Central Information Commission (CIC) to disclose information related to the graduation degree of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Delhi University had challenged the order of the Central Information Commission. On the basis of an RTI petition filed in 2016, the CIC had directed Delhi University to disclose information related to PM Modi's graduation degree.

'It is not mandatory to disclose academic records and degrees'

According to the order of Delhi High Court judge Sachin Dutta, it is not mandatory to disclose academic records and degrees. This legal battle regarding the disclosure of PM Modi's academic records has been going on for years. After filing an application under the Right to Information (RTI), the Central Information Commission on December 21, 2016 allowed the inspection of the records of all the students who passed the BA examination in 1978. PM Modi had also passed this examination.

CIC had ordered to make the degree public

The university refused, citing rules not to share information related to third parties. However, the Central Information Commission (CIC) did not accept this argument and in December 2016 ordered DU to allow inspection. The CIC said that the educational qualifications of any public person, especially the Prime Minister, should be transparent. The CIC also said that the register containing this information will be considered a public document.

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The university had approached the High Court against this order, where it was represented by Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta and his legal team. Tushar Mehta argued that releasing the data would set a dangerous precedent, which could hinder the functioning of government officials. He said that some people are advocating the release of records motivated by political motives.