Allahabad High Court Dismisses Petition in Jauhar University Demolition Matter
The Allahabad High Court has refused to entertain a petition challenging the proposed demolition of buildings at Mohammad Ali Jauhar University in Rampur, citing maintainability issues. In a parallel development, the Moradabad Divisional Commissioner’s court granted interim relief staying demolition on the campus until further orders.
What Happened
The writ petition was filed on behalf of Mohammad Ali Jauhar University by Mohammad Yusuf, a businessman appointed as a pairokar (pleader) for the institution. When the matter came before the court, Additional Advocate General Anupam Trivedi raised a preliminary objection regarding the petition’s maintainability. Trivedi argued that a university must always be represented by its Registrar or an official working there, rather than a stranger or outsider.
Justice Saurabh Shyam Shamshery accepted the state’s preliminary objection on July 27, 2026, and refused to hear the petition. The court observed that disposing of the writ petition in the interest of justice would allow legal proceedings initiated against the trust and university to reach their logical conclusion.
Meanwhile, the university’s counsel moved an application before the Moradabad Divisional Commissioner’s court seeking relief. Divisional Commissioner Anjaneya Kumar Singh confirmed that an interim stay was granted, halting the proposed demolition of 38 buildings until the final hearing in the case. Scheduled proceedings for July 28, 2026, could not be held as a condolence meeting was planned following the death of an advocate in Moradabad.
Key Highlights
- The Allahabad High Court dismissed a writ petition filed by a businessman acting as a pairokar for Jauhar University because he was not an official representative.
- Additional Advocate General Anupam Trivedi successfully argued that an outsider cannot approach the court on behalf of the university.
- Justice Saurabh Shyam Shamshery disposed of the matter so proceedings against the petitioner trust/university can reach a logical conclusion.
- Moradabad Divisional Commissioner Anjaneya Kumar Singh confirmed an interim stay on the demolition of 38 campus structures until final hearing.
- The Rampur Development Authority had directed the university on July 15 to demolish 38 of its 40 buildings by July 30 under Section 27(1) of the UP Urban Planning and Development Act, 1973, alleging lack of approved building maps.
Why This Matters
The legal developments concern Mohammad Ali Jauhar University, an institution founded by Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan. The Rampur Development Authority had ordered the university administration to demolish 38 of its 40 campus structures within 15 days for allegedly lacking approved building maps. The demolition order led to sit-in protests by students and supporters, making legal proceedings central to the ongoing controversy.
What to Watch Next
With the High Court petition disposed of on maintainability grounds, the primary forum for immediate legal relief remains the Moradabad Divisional Commissioner’s court. The interim stay granted by the commissioner will remain in force until further orders and the final hearing in the matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the High Court refuse to hear the university’s petition?
The High Court sustained a preliminary objection from the Additional Advocate General, who noted that the petition was filed by an outside businessman acting as a pairokar rather than the university’s Registrar or an official representative.
What relief was granted by the Divisional Commissioner’s court?
The Moradabad Divisional Commissioner’s court granted an interim stay on the proposed demolition of 38 university buildings until the final hearing in the case.
What is the background of the demolition order?
On July 15, the Rampur Development Authority directed the demolition of 38 campus buildings within 15 days under Section 27(1) of the UP Urban Planning and Development Act, 1973, citing unapproved building maps.
Source: Based on reporting from The Hindu.