SC Dismisses Ali Jauhar Trust’s Plea On Lease Termination By UP Govt

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The Supreme Court on Monday has declined to hear the Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Trust’s plea contesting the Uttar Pradesh government’s decision to terminate its lease on the land of Jauhar University in Rampur.

A bench led by Chief Justice D. Y. Chandrachud, along with Justices J. B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, delivered a clear message: “We will not entertain the petition.”

The court further stated, “Let the UP government take a decision on accommodating the 300 students in other educational institutes.” Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the Trust, expressed concerns about the students’ future, but the court remained resolute.

The Trust had previously challenged a ruling by the Allahabad High Court that upheld the state government’s actions.

The High Court had pointed out that critical procedures, policies, and financial considerations had been ignored when the lease was granted, characterizing it as an abuse of power by the Cabinet Minister.

The Maulana Muhammad Ali Jauhar Trust, led by Samajwadi Party figure Azam Khan, was granted the land for the university in 2005.

However, in January 2023, following a decision by the Yogi Adityanath-led government, the lease, set at a nominal rate of Rs 100 per annum, was canceled, and the land and building—spanning approximately 13,000 square meters—were reclaimed by the government.

Khan originally acquired this land for a research institute during the previous Samajwadi Party administration, with a 33-year lease and options for 2 extensions.

The lease’s termination followed a complaint that prompted the formation of a Special Investigation Team to probe the matter. The government acted based on the SIT’s recommendations and a report from the Rampur District Magistrate.

The case highlights ongoing tensions surrounding educational governance and land use in Uttar Pradesh, with significant implications for the students affected by the Trust’s legal battles.