The Supreme Court on Thursday sought the Uttar Pradesh government’s response on its compliance with its order staying the Allahabad High Court order on Maulana Mohammed Ali Jauhar University in a week’s time.
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, who appeared for Samajwadi Party leader Mohammad Azam Khan, apprised the bench of Justice A.M. Khanwilkar and Justice J.B. Pardiwala on Thursday that the Uttar Pradesh government had installed barbed wires and hindered the functioning of the university despite the stay order on sealing.
The bench has slated the matter for hearing on July 22 and has granted UP government time till July 19 for filing its response. Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, who had appeared for the State, requested for extension of time.
The Allahabad high Court, while granting bail to Azam Khan, had directed the Rampur District Magistrate to confiscate the property attached to Jauhar University and raise a boundary wall with barbed wire around it and hand over the disputed property for training purposes of the para-military forces by virtue of its order of May 10, 2022. Eventually, the authorities had sealed the two buildings- the sports complex and the house of Dean and senior staff, after directing them to vacate the premises by an order dated 18 May 2022.
Seeking resolution of this issue, Azam Khan had approached the Apex Court for the same and by the order of May 27, 2022, the High Court order was stayed. To give effect to this order, a letter was sent to the SDM of District Rampur to de-seal Khan’s property and restore his possession.
But no action was taken to pursue the said order. Sibal apprised the bench of the contempt of Supreme Court’s order by the authorities and has indicated about the steps that will be taken by Azam Khan to file a contempt petition.