Mohammad Ali Jauhar University Demolition Stayed as Moradabad Commissioner Puts Rampur DM's Order on Hold
In a major administrative development, Moradabad Divisional Commissioner Anjaneya Kumar Singh has stayed the proposed demolition of 38 buildings at Mohammad Ali Jauhar University in Rampur. The stay order effectively puts on hold the directive issued by Rampur District Magistrate and Rampur Development Authority (RDA) Vice-Chairman Ajay Kumar Dwivedi.
In a major administrative development, Moradabad Divisional Commissioner Anjaneya Kumar Singh has stayed the proposed demolition of 38 buildings at Mohammad Ali Jauhar University in Rampur. The stay order effectively puts on hold the directive issued by Rampur District Magistrate and Rampur Development Authority (RDA) Vice-Chairman Ajay Kumar Dwivedi.
The university, founded by senior Samajwadi Party (SP) leader and former lawmaker Azam Khan, was facing immediate structural demolition after local authorities declared that 38 out of 40 campus buildings were erected without sanctioned map approvals under the Uttar Pradesh Urban Planning and Development Act, 1973. UP: 38 Buildings at Azam Khan's Jauhar University to Be Demolished.
In its appeal submitted to the appellate court of the Moradabad Divisional Commissioner—who also serves as the Chairman of the Rampur Development Authority—the university administration challenged the legality and jurisdiction of the RDA’s order.
Following preliminary legal scrutiny, Commissioner Singh granted temporary relief by staying all demolition activity until a comprehensive review of the case is conducted.
The core argument put forward by the university trust hinges on jurisdictional timing. University officials contend that when the structures were built, the campus area fell under the administrative domain of the local district panchayat rather than the Rampur Development Authority. According to the management, the jurisdiction of the RDA was extended to include the university site only in recent years, making the retroactive application of urban planning regulations legally contestable. UP: Jauhar University Given Extra Week to Submit Fire Safety Documents as Several Buildings Flagged for Non-compliance.
The proposed demolition order had triggered widespread concern among students, faculty, and political leaders. Protesting law students had expressed fear over the potential disruption to their academic careers, given that the affected structures house faculties, hostels, and key academic infrastructure.
The interim stay provides a crucial breathing space for the institution as legal proceedings continue before administrative and judicial forums. Further hearings will determine whether the buildings can be regularized through compounding or if further administrative action will proceed.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 27, 2026 07:16 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
