Now Reading: Delhi HC to hear PM Modi degree appeals on Sept 29
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Delhi HC to hear PM Modi degree appeals on Sept 29
The Delhi High Court on Thursday listed for September 29 the hearing of appeals challenging a single-judge order that had set aside a Central Information Commission (CIC) direction to disclose records related…
The Delhi High Court on Thursday listed for September 29 the hearing of appeals challenging a single-judge order that had set aside a Central Information Commission (CIC) direction to disclose records related to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's bachelor's degree. A division bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia fixed the date after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for Delhi University, sought an early hearing.
The single-judge on August 25, 2025, had ruled that merely holding public office does not make all personal information automatically subject to disclosure, and that there was no 'implicit public interest' in the sought records. The court had also observed that the RTI Act was meant to promote transparency in government functioning, not to provide 'fodder for sensationalism'. The appeals have been filed by RTI activist Neeraj, AAP leader Sanjay Singh and advocate Mohd Irshad.
The case originates from a 2016 RTI application by Neeraj, after which the CIC had permitted inspection of BA examination records from 1978, the year Modi is stated to have passed. The division bench will now hear the appeals on September 29.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The key question before the division bench is whether educational qualifications of a public office holder are personal data exempt under RTI or serve a larger public interest. The single-judge had rejected the CIC's view that there is implicit public interest in such disclosure. The appeals will test the boundaries of transparency vs privacy for constitutional office holders. If the division bench overturns the single judge, it could set a precedent for disclosure of academic records of elected representatives. Watch for the September 29 hearing to clarify the legal test for 'public interest' in personal data of public figures.
Source: hindustantimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
