"Only to sensationalise": DU to Delhi HC on plea seeking PM Modi's degree details

The Delhi University (DU) on Tuesday told the Delhi High Court that appeals seeking disclosure of information relating to Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi's degrees were an attempt to sensationalise the issue.

Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta appeared for DU and stated that there was no merit in the matter.

“This is only to sensationalise. There is nothing in the matter,” SG Mehta said. 

SG Mehta made the statement before a Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia.

The Court was hearing a set of appeals filed by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh, Right to Information (RTI) activist Neeraj Sharma and advocate Mohd Irshad against the single-judge's judgment of August 25, 2025, quashing the Central Information Commission's (CIC) order of December 2016 to disclose the PM's degree details.

During the first hearing of the case on November 12, the High Court had flagged that there was a delay in filing the appeals and asked the DU to file its objections on that aspect. 

Today, SG Mehta appeared for the University and sought more time to file the objections.

“I am seeking time. I would like to file a reply to the delay as well as merits,” Mehta stated. 

Senior Advocate Shadan Farasat appeared for the appellants and stated that if the Solicitor General is saying that he will reply to the merits as well, the Court can issue notice in the appeals. 

Mehta objected, adding that he was already appearing in the matter, and notice was being sought to sensationalise. 

“I am appearing. Notice can’t be issued only to sensationalise something,” he said. 

Farasat also said that there was a very little delay in filing the appeals, and the court can condone. 

The SG disagreed. 

Ultimately, the Court gave the DU three more weeks to file its objections to the delay in the appeal. 

The case would be heard next on April 27.