The Delhi High Court deferred its verdict on Delhi University’s (DU) challenge to a Central Information Commission (CIC) order mandating the disclosure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s bachelor’s degree details. Justice Sachin Datta, originally set to deliver the judgment at 2:30 pm, did not preside, and the ruling is now expected on August 25. The decision will also address related petitions, all reserved for judgment.

The case stems from a 2016 RTI application by Neeraj, prompting the CIC to allow inspection of records for all students who passed the BA exam in 1978, the year Modi graduated. DU, represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, argues that the CIC’s order violates the “right to privacy,” which outweighs the “right to know.” Mehta emphasized that while DU is willing to share Modi’s degree records with the court, public scrutiny under the RTI Act is unwarranted, as the university holds student information in a fiduciary capacity. He contended that “mere curiosity” lacks public interest to justify disclosure.

The CIC’s order, stayed by the high court on January 23, 2017, has sparked heated debate. RTI applicants’ counsel defended the disclosure, arguing that the RTI Act supports revealing the prime minister’s educational details for the greater public good. The case has fueled controversy, with opposition parties questioning the authenticity of Modi’s degree, while the government insists privacy protections must prevail.

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As the nation awaits the court’s decision, the outcome could set a precedent for transparency versus privacy in public office, intensifying scrutiny on the educational credentials of India’s leaders.

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