NEWSPRISM, NEWS BUREAU
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has sought an explanation from Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) university over allegations that it issued a backdated no-objection certificate (NOC) to allow the sale of its prime land to a third party, overriding an adverse court order.
The stunning disclosure was made by Nazim Hussain Al Jafri, who recently served as the Registrar and Secretary of JMI’s Executive Council comprising nominees of the Visitor (President of India). In an affidavit, Jafri claimed that despite his refusal, the university cleared the land sale to one Zakia Zaheer by issuing a backdated NOC.
According to Jafri’s account, on August 4 last year, the then Vice-Chancellor directed him to issue the NOC favouring the third party, which he declined citing serious reservations. However, on August 23, Jafri was “forcefully told” by the agitated VC to immediately issue a backdated NOC as a writ petition challenging the sale was listed for the next day before the High Court.
While the court stayed the proposed sale initially, the buyer later approached a division bench where JMI produced the NOC, claiming it had already been issued earlier. Jafri has alleged that the backdated NOC was prepared illegally by the JMI administration without the Executive Council’s approval.
The court is hearing a plea by Harisul Haq, a physical education teacher at Jamia Middle School and former secretary of the Jamia School Teachers Association, challenging the sale on grounds of violation of due processes. Haq’s counsel Amit George argued that a responsible ex-official’s disclosure points to illegalities in the sale process.
Despite the Visitor’s nominees dissenting against granting the NOC to the third party as being against JMI’s interests, the university allegedly proceeded with issuing it, claiming approval in unsigned meeting minutes.
The High Court has issued a notice to JMI, seeking a detailed response on why the NOC was issued in violation of norms. The controversial land deal remains sub-judice.