Divisional Court Stalls Demolition of 38 Mohammad Ali Jauhar University Buildings

Judicial Intervention Halts RDA Enforcement

Legal proceedings surrounding the Mohammad Ali Jauhar University took a significant turn on July 27, 2026, when the Moradabad Divisional Commissioner’s court issued a stay on the planned demolition of 38 campus buildings. Divisional Commissioner Anjaneya Kumar Singh granted this interim relief following a formal application submitted by the institution’s legal representatives. The stay remains in effect until the court conducts a final hearing on the matter.

Regulatory Conflict and Demolition Orders

The dispute originated on July 15, when the Rampur Development Authority (RDA) labeled 38 out of 40 university structures as unauthorized. Citing Section 27 of the Uttar Pradesh Urban Planning and Development Act, 1973, RDA Vice-Chairperson and Rampur District Magistrate Ajay Kumar Dwivedi alleged the buildings were erected without requisite permissions. The authority had initially provided a 15-day ultimatum for the university to dismantle the structures or face state-led demolition.

Political Resistance and Institutional Oversight

The Mohammad Ali Jauhar Trust, chaired by Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan, manages the university. The RDA's enforcement actions triggered immediate political backlash, including a protest march in Lucknow led by Apni Janta Party (AJP) National President Swami Prasad Maurya. Key points of the current legal standoff include:

• Total Structures Under Scrutiny: 38 of the 40 buildings on the campus grounds.
• Statutory Basis: The Uttar Pradesh Urban Planning and Development Act, 1973.
• Key Personnel: District Magistrate Ajay Kumar Dwivedi (RDA) and Divisional Commissioner Anjaneya Kumar Singh (Judiciary).

While the university has secured a temporary reprieve, the long-term status of the campus facilities depends on the outcome of the upcoming full hearing in the Commissioner’s court.

Source: The Hindu — Home