HC seeks reply on alleged misuse of govt funds in Jauhar University

The Allahabad high court on Thursday took a serious note of allegations made in a PIL petition that over Rs 2,000 crore public money was inappropriately invested in Mohammad Ali Jauhar University in Rampur.

Issuing a notice to the university’s chancellor and senior Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan, the court asked him to file a reply by the next day of hearing (within three weeks).

Hearing the petition filed by Abdul Salam of Rampur, the bench comprising chief justice DB Bhosale and justice Yashwant Varma directed Azam Khan to file a counter affidavit and also issued a notice to the Mohammad Ali Jauhar University, Rampur, asking it to file a reply.

Appearing for the state government, additional advocate general Manish Goel informed the bench that considering the seriousness of the allegation, the government had constituted a special investigation team (SIT) to submit a report.

The court, in its order, made it clear that pendency of the petition would not come in the way of investigation into the case.

Advocate Anil Tiwari, counsel for the petitioner, alleged that Azam, a minister in the SP government, misused public money on Jauhar University.

He said a luxurious guest house was constructed on the university premises but it was not accessible to the people.

The petitioner alleged that land along Kosi river was made a part of the university premises by constructing a boundary wall.

The court directed the state government to produce the records and inform the bench as to how many VIPs stayed in the guest house constructed on the university premises in the last one year and disclose their names.

The SP leader’s counsel opposed the PIL and said it was not maintainable but the court decided to entertain it. The case has been listed after three weeks.