Agra: The 158-year-old St. John's College here is facing closure as it owes Rs.190 million to the district administration.

The prestigious college was built on leased government land in 1850. Hence, the management of the institution has to pay money to the district administration at regular intervals. The amount of Rs.190 million has been calculated on the basis of the present value of the land.

College principal F.M. Prasad said the institution would have been sealed on Tuesday, but it was postponed as university examinations were on. However, bank accounts of the college management have been frozen.

Madhurima Sharma, a teacher at St. John's College, said: "I don't think they (the district administration) will be able to close it down as it is a minority institution." IANS