In a major development involving Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan’s Mohammad Ali Jauhar University, the Rampur Development Authority (RDA) has ordered the demolition of 38 buildings on the university campus, claiming they were constructed without approved building plans and required permissions.
The demolition order was issued under Section 27(1) of the Uttar Pradesh Urban Planning and Development Act, 1973, following an inquiry, submission of objections by the university administration and a personal hearing conducted on July 15.
District Magistrate and RDA Vice-Chairman Ajay Kumar Dwivedi said the action was initiated after a report submitted by a regional junior engineer highlighted alleged unauthorised constructions within the university campus located in Singankhera village of Rampur district.
Inquiry Found 38 Buildings Without Valid Approvals
According to the District Magistrate, authorities conducted an investigation after concerns were raised regarding the legality of several structures within the university premises.
Following the inquiry, notices were issued to the university administration, seeking explanations regarding the constructions. The institution subsequently submitted written objections and participated in a hearing before the authority.
Dwivedi stated that after examining the records, written submissions and oral arguments presented during the hearing, officials concluded that out of approximately 40 structures on the campus, 38 lacked the necessary approvals and documentation required under applicable building regulations.
The administration has now directed the university management to remove the structures within 15 days. Officials indicated that if the order is not complied with, the authority may undertake demolition proceedings and recover the costs as per law.
University Contests RDA’s Jurisdiction
During the proceedings, representatives of Mohammad Ali Jauhar University challenged the findings and argued that the constructions were carried out at a time when the university area did not fall under the jurisdiction of the Rampur Development Authority.
The university maintained that Singankhera village was brought under the RDA’s jurisdiction only on September 27, 2024, and therefore prior approval from the authority was not required when the buildings were constructed.
The institution further argued that the structures had been built years earlier and could not be retrospectively declared illegal under present regulations. University representatives submitted written replies on July 8 and reiterated their objections during the hearing attended by officials and legal representatives from both sides.
Authority Rejects University’s Defence
The Rampur Development Authority rejected the university’s arguments, stating that construction approvals from the competent authority were mandatory irrespective of subsequent jurisdictional changes.
According to the order, records obtained from the Rampur Zila Panchayat showed that only two structures, the medical college building and the academic block, had approved building plans. No valid permissions or sanctioned maps were found for the remaining 38 buildings.
The authority further noted that the university management itself had obtained approval for two buildings, demonstrating its awareness of the legal requirement to secure permissions before undertaking construction activities.
Based on these findings, the RDA concluded that the remaining structures were unauthorised and violated provisions of the Uttar Pradesh Urban Planning and Development Act.
Long-Running Controversies Around Jauhar University
Mohammad Ali Jauhar University was established in 2006 through an Act passed by the Uttar Pradesh Legislature and has often been described as one of Azam Khan’s flagship projects. The university is situated around 12 kilometres from Rampur Railway Station.
Over the years, the institution has been at the centre of multiple legal disputes, including allegations related to land acquisition, encroachment and lease irregularities. Several parcels of land associated with the university were reclaimed by the Uttar Pradesh government following administrative and judicial proceedings.
Earlier this year, Azam Khan and members of his family stepped aside from positions in the Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Trust, which operates the university. Khan had previously served as the Chancellor and lifetime president of the trust.
