PM Modi degree case: 'Just an attempt to create sensation'; DU's blunt reply; Delhi High Court gives 3 weeks' time

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday granted significant relief to Delhi University (DU) in the ongoing case regarding the disclosure of information related to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's educational degrees. The court granted the university three weeks to file objections to the delay in filing the appeal.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyay and Justice Tejas Karia stated, "As requested, three weeks are granted to file objections to the application for condonation of delay." The next hearing will be held on April 27.

Solicitor General's Argument on behalf of DU

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing Delhi University, argued before the court that there was nothing substantial in the entire case and that it was being pursued solely to create sensation. He requested time to file a response on the merits of the case, including the delay in the appeal.

Appellants' Argument: The Delay Is Minor

The senior counsel for the appellants told the court that, despite nearly two and a half months having passed, DU has not filed an objection to the delay. He stated that the delay is only 15 to 45 days, which the court can easily forgive. The lawyer also demanded that the court issue a formal notice if Delhi University wishes to respond to the main appeal. Solicitor General Mehta objected to this, stating that issuing a notice cannot be done merely to create sensation.

What is the whole matter?

This appeal has been filed against the decision of a single judge of the Delhi High Court, which on August 25, 2025, had set aside the Central Information Commission (CIC) order directing the disclosure of information related to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's graduation degree. The appellants include RTI activist Neeraj, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh, and advocate Mohammad Irshad.

Important decision of the single judge

It is noteworthy that the single judge had stated in his decision that all personal information of a person cannot be made public merely because he holds a public office. The court clearly stated that the purpose of the RTI Act is to bring transparency to government functioning, not to provide material for sensationalism. The court also remarked that if educational qualifications were mandatory for holding public office, the situation would have been different. On this basis, the CIC's stance was declared completely erroneous. In the same decision, the Delhi High Court also struck down the CIC's order directing the CBSE to provide former Union Minister Smriti Irani's Class 10 and 12 records.