Jauhar University (File photo)
NEW DELHI: The Rampur Development Authority (RDA) has ordered the demolition of 38 buildings at Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Azam Khan’s Mohammad Ali Jauhar University, ruling that they were constructed without approved building plans, official said on Wednesday.The order, issued under Section 27(1) of the Uttar Pradesh Urban Planning and Development Act, 1973, followed a hearing and examination of records.According to Rampur District Magistrate Ajay Kumar Dwivedi, the proceedings were initiated after a report by the regional junior engineer flagged alleged unauthorised constructions on the university campus. After being served a notice, the university submitted its reply on July 8, and was given a personal hearing on July 15.During the hearing, the university argued that the campus, located in Singankhera village, was outside the RDA’s jurisdiction until September 27, 2024, and therefore did not require its approval for construction. It also maintained that the buildings had been constructed much earlier and could not be declared illegal under the current rules.The RDA rejected the arguments, holding that approval from the competent authority was mandatory at the time of construction, regardless of whether the area later came under its jurisdiction. According to the order, records from the Rampur Zila Panchayat showed that only the medical college and academic block had approved building plans, while the remaining 38 buildings lacked valid approval. It also noted that the university was aware of the approval requirement, having obtained permission for the two sanctioned buildings while constructing the others without authorisation.The authority concluded that the constructions violated the Uttar Pradesh Urban Planning and Development Act and were therefore liable for demolition.Established in 2006 through an Act of the Uttar Pradesh legislature, Mohammad Ali Jauhar University was one of Azam Khan’s flagship projects. In recent years, it has been embroiled in legal disputes over alleged land encroachment and lease violations, with the Uttar Pradesh government reclaiming large parts of the campus.Earlier this year, Khan and his family formally stepped down from the university’s governing trust. Khan had served as the chancellor and lifetime president of the Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Trust, which runs the university.(With PTI inputs)
