AHMEDABAD: A single bench of the Gujarat High Court has ordered Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to pay a fine of Rs 25,000 for asking about the education qualification of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Gujarat High Court quashed the order to the Prime Minister’s Office to hand over details of Modi’s graduation and post-graduation certificates. The High Court also quashed the Central Information Commission’s 2016 directions to Gujarat University, Prime Minister’s Office and Delhi University. The order came from Justice Biren Vaishnav of the Gujarat High Court.
The court observed that Arvind Kejriwal should not have questioned the authenticity of Prime Minister Modi’s degree certificate as it was available in the media, social media and university websites. The court also criticized Arvind Kejriwal’s attempt to ask for details of graduation despite knowing that the RTI did not have the power to do so.
Plaintiff is neither appellant nor petitioner. The court also criticized Kejriwal for making a mockery of the purpose and intent of the Right to Information Act. “Records including degrees are personal information of a citizen and are exempted from the RTI Act under Section 8(1) of the RTI Act”. – The judge explained.
Gujarat University approached the High Court against the Central Information Right Commission order. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appeared on behalf of Gujarat University. Modi claims to have graduated from Gujarat College of Arts in 1978 and post-graduate degree from Delhi University in 1983.
The court accepted Solicitor General Tushar Mehta’s contention that sharing the details would affect Modi’s privacy. Advocating for the university, Tushar Mehta said the RTI cannot compel handover of degree details. Tushar Mehta criticized Kejriwal for destroying the heart and soul of the RTI Act. Tushar Mehta accused Kejriwal of making an irresponsible request.