Delhi HC reserves verdict on DU’s plea against disclosure of PM Modi’s degree records

The Delhi High Court has reserved its verdict on a plea by Delhi University (DU) challenging the Central Information Commission (CIC) order directing the disclosure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's bachelor's degree records.

After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Sachin Datta stated, “Arguments heard. Judgment reserved.”

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing DU, argued that the CIC’s order should be set aside. However, he clarified that while the university objected to disclosing the records publicly, it had no issue presenting them before the court.

"The university has no objection to showing the record to the court. There is a degree from 1978, a Bachelor of Arts," Mehta said.

On February 11, DU maintained that student records are held in a fiduciary capacity, meaning the university has a duty to protect such information. It contended that the Right to Information (RTI) Act does not allow disclosure based on mere curiosity unless there is a larger public interest.

The case stems from an RTI request by activist Neeraj Kumar, who sought exam results of all students who appeared for Delhi University's 1978 BA examination, including their names, roll numbers, marks, and pass/fail status.

DU’s Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) rejected the request, arguing that the details were third-party information and could not be disclosed. However, Kumar appealed to the CIC, which ruled in his favor, stating that educational records of a public university should be accessible.

In a 2016 ruling, the CIC stated that universities are public bodies, and their records should be considered public documents. However, during a 2017 hearing, DU offered to disclose only the total number of students who appeared, passed, or failed in 1978, while opposing the release of personal details such as names, roll numbers, and marks. The university argued that such data was protected under the RTI Act’s fiduciary exemption clause.