New Delhi: The University of Delhi (DU) has approached the Delhi High Court, challenging a December 2016 order by the Central Information Commission (CIC) directing the disclosure of information related to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's degree. The university argued that the Right to Information (RTI) Act was not meant to satisfy a third party’s curiosity.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing DU, told Justice Sachin Datta that the university holds student information in a “fiduciary capacity” and should not be compelled to disclose it to outsiders. He further stated that while Section 6 of the RTI Act mandates the provision of information, the Act was not intended to fulfill personal curiosity.

The CIC had earlier allowed the inspection of 1978 BA exam records, including those of the Prime Minister, following a request by activist Neeraj. The order, which allowed the inspection of records of all students who appeared for the BA exam in 1978, was stayed by the Delhi High Court in January 2017.

Mehta argued that the RTI Act could not be misused to demand indiscriminate disclosure of personal information unrelated to the transparency or accountability of public authorities. He emphasized that such requests could negatively impact the efficiency of administration.

In its petition, DU described the CIC’s order as “arbitrary” and “untenable in law,” stressing that the information sought was “third-party personal information” and that there was no justification for its disclosure in the public interest. The university contended that such demands would undermine the integrity of the RTI Act.

The case will be heard again later in January.

Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.



Mangaluru (Karnataka), May 4 (PTI): A case has been registered against BJP MLA Harish Poonja for allegedly making a provocative speech during the Brahmakalashotsava (consecration ceremony) at the Gopalakrishna Temple in Thekkaru village in Dakshina Kannada district.

According to the police, complainant Ibrahim S B has alleged that Punja made derogatory remarks against the Muslim community and allegedly attempted to incite communal hatred through his speech.

The speech in question was reportedly delivered in the presence of a gathering during the religious event.

The complaint stated that the content of the speech could sow discord between religious communities and disturb communal harmony in the region.

Based on the complaint, the police have registered a case under sections 196 and 352(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), the new Indian criminal code that recently replaced the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Get all the latest, breaking news from Mangaluru and Dakshina Kannada in a single click. CLICK HERE to get all the latest news from Mangaluru.