The legal proceedings surrounding the Aravalli hills and mining activities in the Supreme Court have taken a sharp turn. When the High Powered Committee (HPC) sought an extra six-month window until February 28, 2027, to submit its report defining the Aravalli landscape, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant strongly objected, viewing the timeline as an attempt to stall the matter.
CJI Points Out Post-Retirement Timeline
During the hearing, CJI Surya Kant remarked critically that the committee had effectively asked for a date falling after his own tenure. Notably, CJI Surya Kant is set to retire on February 9, 2027, while the panel requested an extension extending to February 28, 2027. The Supreme Court bench quickly identified this strategic delay and dismissed the maneuver.
Strict November 30 Deadline Established
The bench, comprising CJI Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V Mohana, outright rejected the six-month extension application. The Supreme Court asserted firmly that whether the committee works day and night or puts in extra hours, the final report must be submitted by November 30 without fail. The court emphasized that not a single day of additional extension will be granted beyond this deadline.
Consultation with Tribal Communities and Interim Reports
The court also mandated that during this period, stakeholders, including tribal communities from Rajasthan and Gujarat, must be consulted. While interim reports can be filed in the interim if urgent issues arise, the final proceedings will no longer be prolonged. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for December 2.
Origins of the Aravalli Definition Controversy
The entire dispute stems from a ruling on November 20, 2025, when a bench led by the then CJI BR Gavai approved a revised definition of the Aravalli region. According to that order
- Hills over 100 meters: Only landforms standing 100 meters or more above the local surface level would qualify as Aravalli hills.
- Aravalli ranges: Two or more such hills falling within a 500-meter radius would constitute a recognized range.
The decision triggered immediate backlash and widespread protests. Environmentalists warned that adopting the 100-meter criteria would exclude over 90 percent of the Aravalli territory from protective frameworks, potentially exposing the entire forest ecosystem to rampant mining operations.
Previous Stay and Committee Overhaul
Amid mounting opposition, the bench led by CJI Surya Kant stayed the earlier order on December 29, 2025, and established a new High Powered Committee (HPC) in May of this year with a mandate to submit its findings by August 31. However, the committee's fresh bid to extend the timeline into 2027 was firmly blocked by the apex court.
