Rampur District Magistrate Ajay Kumar Dwivedi says illegal access violated rules; Locals question timing and fairness as the gate stood for nine years with PWD maintaining a silence
RAMPUR — Another setback has hit imprisoned Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan after the district administration removed a gate connecting the APJ Abdul Kalam Government Guest House to the nearby Mohammad Ali Jauhar University and built a wall at the spot.
District Magistrate Ajay Kumar Dwivedi said the gate was illegal and posed a risk to government property. “The guest house is government property. No private body can use it in any manner,” he said. “The unauthorised gate has been removed and a wall has been built for full safety of the premises.”
Officials said the gate, about 16 feet wide, was built around nine years ago during the Samajwadi Party government. It directly linked the guest house to the private university founded by Azam Khan. The main entry of the guest house is from the road, and any internal access was against the rules, the administration said.
The District Magistrate added that he noticed the gate during an inspection. “There was no approval for this access. After checking records, action was taken on the spot,’ he said. ‘The Public Works Department is probing how this continued for years.”
The PWD Superintending Engineer has been asked to examine the matter and fix responsibility. “Action will be taken against officers found at fault,” Dwivedi said.
Supporters of Azam Khan and university staff questioned the move. A senior functionary linked to the university said, “This gate existed openly for nine years. If it was illegal, why did the PWD keep quiet for so long? The action looks targeted and hurts an institution run by a Muslim minority.”
Local residents echoed similar views. “Rules should apply to all,” said a Rampur resident. “When steps are taken after many years, people will ask questions.”
The administration maintained that the step was purely administrative and meant to protect public property, while critics said the timing and focus raised concerns about equal treatment.
