Irani degree row: Court asks EC, DU to get records

The Election Commission and Delhi University were on Friday directed by a city court to bring the records of educational qualification of Union HRD minister Smriti Irani against whom a complaint was filed for allegedly giving false information in affidavits to the poll panel.

Metropolitan magistrate Akash Jain allowed the plea of the complainant seeking a direction to the officials of EC and DU to bring records of her educational qualification after he said he was unable to place them before the court.

“Keeping in view the grounds mentioned in the application, the plea to direct officials of the Election Commission and Delhi University to bring records is allowed,” the court said. It, however, declined the contention of complainant Ahmer Khan, a freelance writer, seeking direction to the CBSE to bring Ms Irani’s class 10th and 12th records.

“The plea to direct CBSE to bring records of class X and XII is declined as it is not under challenge. Put up the matter for pre-summoning evidence on March 16, 2016,” it said.

The complainant had earlier claimed in court that Irani had deliberately given discrepant information about her educational qualification in affidavits filed before the poll panel and not given any clarification despite concerns being raised on the issue. Mr Khan had alleged that Ms Irani had knowingly furnished misleading information.