Aligarh Muslim University Land Dispute Escalates, Next Hearing Scheduled for August 27 The long-standing dispute between Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) and the municipal corporation over a 3.863-hectare plot of land, valued at approximately 500 crore rupees, has intensified. The land, which the university claims has been under its ownership since 1925, is now at the center of a legal battle. Following a court hearing on Saturday, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) issued formal notices to both parties, with the next hearing tentatively scheduled for August 27. AMU officials, including Proctor Mohammad Naved Khan, have presented documents to the mayor, Prashant Singhal, asserting the university’s ownership of the land. They argued that the municipal corporation’s claim to the property is invalid, citing historical records that date back to 1925. Singhal, however, has stated that the municipal corporation maintains its claim, and the case is under investigation by the district magistrate. The dispute has sparked concerns among university authorities and faculty. AMU’s teachers’ association, the AMU Teachers’ Association (AMUTA), has announced plans to organize a protest if the issue is not resolved. The association’s secretary, Dr. Ashraf Matin, revealed that a meeting of association leaders will be held on Monday to discuss strategies. “The land is not just property but a historical legacy of the university,” Matin emphasized, highlighting the importance of preserving the institution’s heritage. The conflict has also drawn attention to procedural irregularities. AMU officials accuse the municipal corporation of illegally erecting a board on the disputed land without prior notice.#district_magistrate #sub_divisional_magistrate #aligarh_muslim_university #prashant_singhal #amutaa
Sambhal Mosque Demolished; Former SP Leader Demands Halt A mosque located on a graveyard in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, was demolished, sparking intense political and community backlash. The site, known as Masjid Mustafa Qadri, is registered with the Wakf Board and has been a central place of worship for the local Muslim community. The demolition has drawn criticism from local leaders, including Firuz Khan, a former Samajwadi Party (SP) district president and state assembly member, who accused authorities of acting without due process. Khan met with the District Magistrate (DM) to demand an immediate stop to the demolition, arguing that the structure holds historical and religious significance. Khan highlighted that the mosque, though old, is the only place of prayer in the village of Kaseraua, where it has served the community for decades. He emphasized that the demolition violates the rights of religious minorities and called for the protection of all places of worship, regardless of faith. "No temple, mosque, or dargah should be destroyed," he stated, adding that many religious sites in the state were established on graveyard or communal land after 1947, yet their existence is often contested. The administration defended the action, asserting that the demolition was carried out in compliance with a court order. DM Ankit Khandalwal confirmed that the process followed legal procedures, including hearings in both the subordinate and appellate courts. However, he noted that the opposing party failed to present any evidence during the judicial proceedings. "The government adhered to the legal framework, and the demolition was executed only after the judicial process was complete," Khandalwal said.#samajwadi_party #sambhal #district_magistrate #masjid_mustafa_qadri #firuz_khan
Sant Kabir Nagar Madarsa Demolition Order Upheld by Commissioner Court The Commissioner Court in Khaliabad city has upheld the demolition order for a madrasa located in Moti Nagar, linked to the case involving British Maulana Shamshul Huda Khan. The court rejected the petition filed by the Kulliyatul Banatir Rajabiyah Education and Welfare Society, which had challenged the order. The court also confirmed the previous decisions by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) and District Magistrate (DM) to proceed with the demolition. The case pertains to the construction of a madrasa on 640 square meters of land in Moti Nagar’s Ghat No. 154. The society had applied for approval of the building plan in 2018. However, it alleged that the designated authority delayed taking a decision, allowing the construction to proceed without proper authorization. Subsequently, the land was declared unauthorized, leading to the issuance of a demolition order. The society contested the order, arguing that the building should be considered automatically approved under mapping regulations. They also claimed that the relevant authorities acted without conducting a full hearing. In contrast, the government’s side argued that the disputed land had already been under the ownership of the state government. Therefore, granting approval for private construction on such land was deemed invalid. After reviewing both parties’ arguments and examining the records, the commissioner found no legal or jurisdictional errors in the earlier orders issued by the SDM and DM. The court dismissed the society’s petition as "frivolous" and upheld the initial decision to demolish the structure. The court’s ruling reaffirms that if land is registered under the state government’s name, private construction on such land cannot be legally sanctioned.#district_magistrate #sub_divisional_magistrate #commissioner_court #moti_nagar
Greater Noida Workers' Wages to Be Transferred Directly to Bank Accounts; Salary Slips Mandatory After a series of worker protests and unrest in the area, the administration has imposed stricter measures to ensure timely and transparent payment of wages to laborers in Greater Noida. A high-level committee convened on Wednesday to address the issue, directing all outsourcing agencies and contract workers to transfer salaries directly into the bank accounts of employees. The directive also mandates the issuance of salary slips to workers, ensuring accountability and transparency in wage distribution. The decision follows incidents of unrest that occurred on Monday, during which workers staged demonstrations and disrupted operations at factories in Greater Noida’s Phase 2. Despite efforts to resolve the situation through negotiations, many agencies failed to comply with calls for dialogue, prompting the district magistrate (DM), Medha Rupam, to issue stern warnings. Rupam emphasized that any agency found responsible for incidents of violence, unrest, or misconduct by workers would face severe consequences, including blacklisting and revocation of licenses. The DM highlighted that the responsibility of managing worker behavior now lies squarely with the outsourcing agencies. While some agencies have been proactive in addressing grievances, others have been accused of negligence, with investigations ongoing to determine their role in the recent unrest. The administration has also clarified that any lapse in ensuring workers’ welfare will result in strict action against both the agencies and their management.#district_magistrate #greater_noida #medha_rupam #outsourcing_agencies #labor_commissioner
A Herder Killed by Truck While Chasing Goat Thieves in Mathura: Road Blockade and Stone-Throwing by Angered Herders A herder named Chandrashekhar "Farsa Wale Baba" was killed by a truck while pursuing goat thieves in Mathura on Saturday morning. According to reports, the incident occurred near Kotwana Chowk in Navipur when the accused goat thieves struck him with a vehicle. The herder was reportedly chasing the thieves on a motorcycle. Following the incident, a large number of herders gathered at the scene, blocking the highway and throwing stones. Police are currently trying to de-escalate the situation. The herder was part of a group of herders actively patrolling the highway on Saturday morning to intercept vehicles carrying goats during Eid celebrations. Around 4 a.m., he was chasing a container on his motorcycle when the goat thieves allegedly struck him with their vehicle. The police have confirmed that one of the accused was apprehended at the scene and handed over to authorities. Angry herders, upset over the incident, have taken to the highway near Chhatka Kat, creating a traffic jam and hurling stones at passing vehicles. Authorities, including the district magistrate and senior police officials, have arrived at the scene to manage the situation. The police are investigating the incident and have not yet commented on the motive behind the attack. The incident has sparked outrage among local herders, who have demanded stricter action against goat thieves. The police have assured that the case will be thoroughly probed, and the accused will be held accountable. Meanwhile, the herder's family has not yet been identified, and details about his background remain unclear.#mathura #chandrashekhar_farsa_wale_baba #navipur #kotwana_chowk #district_magistrate
