The Delhi High Court has delivered a firm verdict, dismissing a public interest litigation (PIL) that challenged the authenticity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's academic degrees. The court not only rejected the plea but also came down heavily on the petitioner for wasting the court's valuable time.
In a decisive ruling, Justice Sachin Datta stated the petition was 'completely meritless' and represented a blatant misuse of the public interest litigation process. The judge emphasised that the court's role is not to be exploited for political vendettas or publicity stunts.
As a consequence for pursuing what the court deemed a frivolous case, the petitioner has been slapped with a substantial cost of ₹1 lakh (approximately £950). This penalty is intended to serve as a deterrent against filing such vexatious litigations in the future.
The controversy around the Prime Minister's degree from Delhi University (DU) has been a recurring feature of Indian political discourse, often fuelled by opposition parties. However, the judiciary has now drawn a clear line, refusing to entertain claims it finds baseless and politically motivated.
This ruling effectively shuts down legal avenues to question the validity of PM Modi's educational credentials, providing a significant political and legal victory for the Prime Minister and his administration. The court's strong wording underscores the judiciary's growing impatience with petitions it perceives as being driven by political agendas rather than genuine public interest.
