Gujarat High Court sets aside CIC order to furnish degree certificate of PM Narendra Modi under RTI; imposes ₹25k costs on Arvind Kejriwal

The Gujarat High Court Friday ruled that the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) need not furnish degree and post-graduate degree certificate of Prime Minister Narendra Modi..Single-judge Justice Biren Vaishnav set aside the order of the Chief Information Commission (CIC) directing the public information officer (PIO) of PMO and the PIOs of Gujarat University and Delhi University to furnish details of Modi's graduate and post graduate degrees.Pertinently, the Court also imposed costs of ₹25,000 on Arvind Kejriwal who had sought details of the PM's degree certificate..The bench was hearing an appeal filed by the Gujarat University challenging order of CIC. As per Modi, he completed his graduation from Gujarat University in 1978 and post graduation from Delhi University in 1983..During the hearing held last month, Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta, appearing for the University, had argued that while there is nothing to hide, the varsity could not be compelled to disclose the information."In a democracy, there won't be a difference if a person holding the office is a doctorate or an illiterate. Also, there is no public interest involved in this issue. Even his privacy is affected," the SG argued while opposing the CIC direction.SG Mehta had further contended that the information sought has nothing to do with the PM's role as a public figure."We cannot be asked to furnish the information to satisfy someone's childish and irresponsible curiosity. Also, it should be noted that the information sought has nothing to do with his (Narendra Modi's) role as a public figure," he pointed out. As per the provisions of the RTI Act, information sought must be related to the public activity, the SG underscored."For instance, they cannot ask what breakfast I had but yes what amount was spent for the breakfast.".SG Mehta's submissions were countered by senior advocate Percy Kavina, who appeared for Arvind Kejriwal. He said stating that there was 'no childish and irresponsible curiosity.'"If you see the nomination form (filed during elections), it mentions his educational qualifications. Thus, we are asking for a degree certificate and not his marksheet," Kavina said. He went on to clarify that the degree was not available on the internet as argued by the SG."An interview of him (Modi) with one Rajiv Shukla is available on the net and not the degree. Thus, we sought copy of the degree," Kavina pointed out.