The UP government has ordered the demolition of 38 buildings at Mohammad Ali Jauhar University in Rampur, dealing another major setback to jailed Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan. The Rampur Development Authority (RDA) said the university constructed most of its buildings without obtaining approval for their building plans, making them illegal under the state’s urban planning laws.
The demolition order came after the authority completed a detailed inquiry, reviewed the university’s written response, and conducted a personal hearing. Officials said the action follows the Yogi Adityanath government’s policy of taking strict action against illegal constructions across the state.
Inquiry Found Only Two Buildings Had Valid Approval
Rampur District Magistrate Ajay Kumar Dwivedi said the university campus is located in Singankhera village, which now falls under the jurisdiction of the Rampur Development Authority. During an inspection, officials found that the university had carried out large-scale construction without obtaining the required approvals.
According to the district administration, the university has a total of 40 buildings. However, only two buildings have approved maps. The remaining 38 buildings were constructed without getting their building plans sanctioned by the competent authority.
Officials said the university received a notice after the violations came to light. The management submitted a written reply, and the RDA also gave it an opportunity to present its case during a personal hearing. After examining all documents and hearing the university’s arguments, the authority concluded that the constructions violated planning rules and issued demolition orders.
Action Taken Under Urban Planning Law
The demolition order has been issued under Section 27(1) of the Uttar Pradesh Urban Planning and Development Act, 1973. The provision empowers the development authority to remove unauthorised constructions that do not comply with approved building regulations.
District Magistrate Ajay Kumar Dwivedi said the university now has 15 days to remove the illegal structures on its own. If the institution does not comply within the prescribed period, the Rampur Development Authority will carry out the demolition.
Officials said the administration will follow all legal procedures before beginning the demolition process.
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Officials Say University Knew the Rules
The district administration rejected any suggestion that the university lacked knowledge of the approval process. Officials pointed out that the institution had obtained approval for two buildings from the District Panchayat before the area came under the jurisdiction of the Rampur Development Authority.
According to the administration, this proves that the university was fully aware of the legal requirement to obtain approval before starting construction. Despite that, it built the remaining 38 structures without getting their maps sanctioned.
Officials also clarified that the area came under the RDA’s jurisdiction only after 2024. Before that, the District Panchayat regulated construction activities in the area. The administration said the change in jurisdiction does not change the legal status of unauthorised buildings.
Part of the Yogi Government’s Crackdown on Illegal Construction
The demolition order comes as the Yogi government continues its drive against illegal constructions across UP. The state government has repeatedly said that no individual or institution will receive special treatment if it violates planning laws.
Officials said the government follows a zero-tolerance policy against unauthorised construction and takes action only after completing the legal process. In this case, the administration issued notices, accepted the university’s written explanation, conducted a personal hearing, and then passed the final order.
The latest action adds to the series of legal troubles faced by Azam Khan, whose Jauhar University has remained under the scanner in several cases over the past few years. The university has faced investigations related to land, construction, and administrative matters, while Azam Khan himself remains in jail in connection with multiple criminal cases.
With the demolition order now in force, the university has two weeks to remove the unauthorised structures. If it fails to do so, the Rampur Development Authority will begin demolition of the 38 buildings in accordance with the provisions of the Uttar Pradesh Urban Planning and Development Act.
