Jaipur, September 7, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Monday questioned the delay sought by a high-powered committee examining the definition and conservation of the Aravalli range, remarking that its request for more time appeared to extend beyond his tenure.
A three-judge Supreme Court bench headed by CJI Surya Kant was hearing the matter when the committee sought time until February 27, 2027, to submit its report. Rejecting the six-month extension, the court directed it to complete the exercise and submit its report by November 30, 2026.
“It appears from the committee’s request that they are waiting for my retirement,” the Chief Justice remarked.
CJI Surya Kant directed the committee to work day and night to meet the deadline and asked it to undertake a comprehensive consultation process before reaching its final conclusions. The consultation is to include all stakeholders affected by decisions concerning the Aravalli region, including tribal communities in Rajasthan and Gujarat.
The court also allowed the panel to submit an interim report, ensuring that the proceedings need not remain pending until the entire consultation process is completed. The matter will next come up before the Supreme Court on December 2, 2026.
The case gained significance after a November 20, 2025 Supreme Court order permitted mining on hills below 100 metres, prompting widespread concerns about the implications of the criterion for protection of the Aravalli range. The court stayed that order on November 29, 2025.
It later directed the constitution of an expert committee to examine the issue and sought responses from the Centre and Rajasthan, Gujarat, Delhi and Haryana.
During Monday’s hearing, the bench stressed that the matter was not adversarial litigation and that the primary objective was conservation of the Aravallis.
The bench also referred to concerns raised in its December 29, 2025 suo motu order, observing that an independent expert body might be required to reassess the scientific, environmental, geological and legal aspects involved in defining the Aravalli range.
The committee’s findings are expected to be central to determining the future definition and conservation framework for the Aravallis.
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