PM Modi Degree Case: Gujarat HC Rejects Kejriwal’s Appeal, Upholds ₹25,000 Cost
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Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
The Gujarat High Court on Tuesday dismissed AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal’s appeal in the case concerning Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s academic degree, upholding the earlier order and ₹25,000 cost imposed on him.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice D.N. Ray found no grounds to interfere with the single judge’s March 31, 2023, order.
What is the Case About?
The dispute dates back to 2016, when the Central Information Commission (CIC) directed Gujarat University (GU) to provide information concerning Modi’s degree.
GU challenged the CIC’s direction in the Gujarat High Court. On March 31, 2023, a single judge quashed the CIC order and imposed costs of ₹25,000 on Kejriwal. He then challenged that decision before the Division Bench.
The latest ruling leaves the single judge’s order undisturbed, including the decision to quash the CIC’s 2016 directive.
- The CIC had issued its directive in 2016 seeking information from GU about Modi’s degree.
- GU challenged the directive before the Gujarat High Court.
- The single judge quashed the CIC order on March 31, 2023.
- The ₹25,000 cost imposed on Kejriwal in the 2023 order has now been upheld.
What Did the High Court Say?
The Division Bench said it found no error in the earlier judgment warranting interference. It therefore dismissed Kejriwal’s appeal and retained the ₹25,000 cost.
During the hearing, Kejriwal’s counsel, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, challenged the basis for imposing the cost. He argued that Kejriwal had not persistently pursued the matter and that the CIC had initiated proceedings suo motu based on a letter rather than a formal RTI application.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for GU, opposed Kejriwal’s stand. He argued that Kejriwal had pursued the matter persistently and defended the costs imposed in the earlier order.
RTI and the Degree Disclosure Dispute
The legal dispute centres on the CIC’s 2016 direction to GU to disclose information relating to Modi’s academic degree. The university challenged that direction, leading to the High Court proceedings.
The single judge later set aside the CIC directive and imposed ₹25,000 in costs on Kejriwal. With the Division Bench now dismissing his appeal, that order continues to remain in force.
