Lucknow: The Rampur Development Authority, or RDA, has ordered the demolition of 38 buildings at Mohammad Ali Jauhar University in Rampur after declaring them unauthorized due to the absence of approved building plans.
The authority directed the university management to remove the structures within 20 days. If the order is not followed, the RDA will carry out the demolition and recover the expenses from the institution.
The proceedings began on June 28 when the RDA issued a notice asking the university to produce approved building plans for 38 of its 40 buildings. The university submitted its reply and later presented its case during a hearing before Rampur District Magistrate and RDA Vice Chairman Ajay Kumar Dwivedi.
After hearing both sides, the District Magistrate ruled that the 38 buildings had been constructed without approved maps. The order covers a total built-up area of 82,309.80 square metres.
The university argued that its campus is located in Singan Khera village, which remained outside the jurisdiction of the Rampur Development Authority until September 27, 2024. It maintained that the buildings were constructed before the village came under the authority’s limits. It also argued that no legal requirement existed at the time to obtain approval for building plans from the RDA.
The university further questioned the present valuation of the campus. It stated that a committee in 2017 had assessed the construction cost at Rs 147.20 crore, while the current assessment of around Rs 2,000 crore lacked basis. The District Magistrate rejected these arguments.
Samajwadi Party leader Asim Raja said the university would challenge the order in court. He alleged political motives behind the action and argued that the institution serves students from every community. He also questioned whether other public buildings constructed without approved maps would face similar action.
Mohammad Ali Jauhar University has more than 2,500 students. The order has raised concerns about the future of students, faculty and staff. The dispute is expected to move to the courts for further examination.
