1 week ago
AMU, Aligarh Civic Body Clash Over Rs 500 Crore Land
A university and the city government are arguing over who owns a valuable piece of land.
The land is more than 3.8 acres and is estimated to be worth about Rs 500 crore.
The Aligarh Municipal Corporation started putting up a fence and a signboard there.
Aligarh Muslim University said the land belongs to it and called the action unfair.
The university said it was not given a notice before the work began.
The municipal body said its records show that it has owned the land for 40 years.
The dispute has already been before a local government officer since 2023.
University groups may ask senior authorities and courts to help resolve the disagreement.
Aligarh Municipal Corporation began fencing a more than 3.8-acre plot valued at around Rs 500 crore.
AMU Vice-Chancellor Naima Khatoon called the action forcible occupation and said the university would challenge it in the Supreme Court.
The civic body said its records show that it has owned the plot for 40 years.
AMU said the dispute has been pending before a sub-divisional magistrate since 2023 and cited a 1923 government notification supporting its claim.
AMU teachers and resident doctors called for intervention by senior authorities and a high-level central government probe.
- Who
- Aligarh Muslim University and the Aligarh Municipal Corporation, represented by their officials, are disputing ownership.
- What
- The municipal corporation began fencing and placing a signboard on a more than 3.8-acre plot that AMU says belongs to it.
- Where
- Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh.
- When
- Municipal officials began the action on Thursday evening; the ownership dispute has been pending before an SDM since 2023.
- Why
- The two sides have conflicting ownership records and documents for the plot, which is valued at around Rs 500 crore.
AMU's Ownership Claim
Municipal Corporation's Ownership Claim
Who owns the land?
AMU's Ownership Claim
Aligarh Muslim University says the land legally belongs to the university and that it has documents dating back more than a century, including a 1923 government notification.
Municipal Corporation's Ownership Claim
The Aligarh Municipal Corporation says its records show that the plot has belonged to the civic body for the past 40 years.
Was the takeover proper?
AMU's Ownership Claim
AMU Vice-Chancellor Naima Khatoon called the action unwarranted and unacceptable, and said the university was not served a notice before the fencing began.
Municipal Corporation's Ownership Claim
Municipal officials proceeded with fencing and said the corporation intends to develop urban projects on the site; the article does not report their response to the notice allegation.
How should the dispute be resolved?
AMU's Ownership Claim
AMU says it will challenge the action in the Supreme Court, while university groups have sought senior government intervention and a central probe.
Municipal Corporation's Ownership Claim
Municipal Commissioner Prem Prakash Meena defended the corporation's ownership position; AMU Proctor Naved Khan said he hoped discussions with district officials would produce an amicable solution.
Key facts
- Land size
- More than 3.8 acres
- Estimated value
- Around Rs 500 crore
- Municipal action
- Fencing and a signboard were installed at the site.
- AMU's evidence
- AMU cited a United Provinces Government notification dated June 13, 1923, along with other official records.
- Dispute status
- The matter has reportedly been pending before a sub-divisional magistrate since 2023.
- Municipal position
- The corporation says its records show ownership of the plot for the past 40 years.
- Planned use
- The civic body said it plans to begin construction of key urban projects on the land.
Quotes
Prof Naima Khatoon
Vice-Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University
“The matter has been pending with the local SDM since 2023 and we have already produced all documents including the official notification of the United Provinces Government dated June 13, 1923, when this land was officially allotted to us and all other official records”
deccanchronicle.com
“This is simply forcible occupation of a plot of land which legally belongs to a historic centre of higher learning in the country and we have all legal documents dating back to more than a century to prove our ownership.”
deccanchronicle.com
Prem Prakash Meena
Municipal Commissioner of Aligarh
“As per our records, since the past forty years, this plot of land has belonged to us”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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