The Delhi High Court on Monday overturned a Central Information Commission (CIC) order that directed Delhi University (DU) to disclose information regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's bachelor's degree. Justice Sachin Datta delivered the verdict, allowing the appeals filed by Delhi University challenging the 2017 order of the CIC. The High Court had previously reserved its judgment on February 27.

The case originated from a Right to Information (RTI) application filed by one Neeraj, who sought records of all students who passed the Bachelor of Arts (BA) examination in 1978, the same year Prime Minister Modi is said to have graduated from DU. In December 2016, the CIC directed DU to allow inspection of these records. The University denied the disclosure of the information stating that it was "private" and had "nothing to do with public interest".

Delhi University challenged the CIC order, and the High Court issued a stay on January 23, 2017.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing Delhi University, argued that the CIC order should be set aside. He submitted that the university had no objection to showing the records to the court but could not put the record for scrutiny by strangers. Mehta contended that the "right to privacy" outweighed the "right to know". He also argued that student records are kept in a fiduciary capacity, and "mere curiosity" without larger public interest cannot justify disclosure under the RTI Act. The university claimed that the RTI Act had been trivialized by demands for records of all students who graduated in 1978, including the Prime Minister.

On the other hand, the counsel for the RTI applicant argued that the Right to Information law allows disclosure of the prime minister's educational details because it serves a greater public good. They asserted that DU, as a public authority, could not deny disclosure based on privacy or fiduciary concerns and that a degree is a qualification granted by the state, not private information. The RTI applicant emphasized that the RTI Act does not consider the applicant's identity or intent. Senior Advocate Sanjay Hegde, also appearing for the RTI applicant, submitted that the information sought would normally be published by any University on notice boards, the varsity's website, and even newspapers.

The court, in its ruling, upheld DU's appeal, citing privacy over political interest. The court had earlier indicated that it would also rule on similar petitions concerning the disclosure of educational qualifications. The TOI News Desk reported this story.