The Gujarat High Court on Thursday reserved its verdict in a case pertaining to a plea filed by Gujarat University (GU) against Central Information Commission (CIC) order asking the varsity to furnish information on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s MA degree to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
Kejriwal had written a letter to CIC to make public details of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s educational qualifications. Kejriwal wrote the letter saying degree should be brought in public domain to eliminate any confusion over the issue.
The Gujarat HC reserved the order after hearing arguments in the case by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Senior Advocate Percy Kavina, a lawyer representing Kejriwal.
Mehta told the High Court that PM Modi’s degree is in the public domain, but there is no obligation under the RTI for the degree to be disclosed to any third person. “Universities cannot be compelled to disclose degrees, especially when there is no public interest in question,” the SGI said.
Furthermore, Mehta contended, “Under the RTI, information of a private nature can be disclosed only when it is related to public activity through some way.”
“If the person himself wants his/her own degree from the University, he/she can demand the same, but a third person can’t demand the same,” Mehta told the court.
Meanwhile, Kejriwal’s lawyer, Percy Kavina asked why did Gujarat University move the Court when the direction was issued to the PIO of the PMO’s office, which has not challenged the order?
Kavina also stated that disclosure of educational qualifications of an election candidate is mandated by law.
