PM degree row: Something of 'interest to public' and public interest not same, Delhi University tells HC

Solicitor general argues against disclosure of PM Modi's degree details, citing lack of public interest in RTI case.

In a matter over making public PM Narendra Modi's degree, Delhi University on Tuesday argued in the Delhi High Court that something of "interest to public" was not the same as "public interest", warranting a disclosure under RTI.

Solicitor general Tushar Mehta, representing DU, made the argument before Justice Sachin Datta in relation to an order of the Central Information Commission (CIC) on December 21, 2016, allowing inspection of records of all students who cleared the BA exam in 1978 -- the year Prime Minister Modi also passed it.

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The High Court had stayed the CIC order on January 23, 2017.

"Mere curiosity that 'I want to know about it what is your objection' cannot be an argument. Public may get interested in something but it may not be public interest..Is there any public interest in this matter? Answer in the facts of this case is no," Mehta said.

In its plea challenging the CIC decision, DU called it an order that was “arbitrary” and “untenable in law” as the information sought to be disclosed was a “third party personal information”.

He said DU held the information in a fiduciary capacity and "mere curiosity" in the absence of public interest did not entitle anyone to seek private information under the Right to Information (RTI) law.