NEW DELHI: Five months after staying its judgment accepting the controversial 100 metre-elevation definition for Aravali hills, Supreme Court on Friday said not an inch of Aravali would be allowed to be used for mining till an expert committee, to be constituted by the apex court, redefined what constitutes Aravali hills and ranges.As lawyers appearing for mining lease holders and those aspiring to get mining leases said the process for renewal and grant of leases could proceed without their finalisation, a bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said, “We will not pass any order to allow resumption of mining activities in Aravalis.”“We will not allow an inch of Aravali to be used for any purpose unless we are satisfied with the new definition that will be proposed by the expert committee to be constituted by us, taking into account the names suggested by amicus curiae K Parameshwar, Union govt and parties,” CJI said.Hailing from Haryana and aware of the deleterious impact of decades of illegal mining on environment and ecology of Aravalis, considered the green lung of north-western India, CJI Kant said, “The whole problem has arisen because of the powerful mining lobby. We are very clear in our minds. No activity will be permitted without us getting the report and satisfying us about the protective umbrella that needs to be put.”On Dec 29 last year, a bench led by CJI Kant had taken suo motu cognisance of the uproarious concern expressed by environmentalists over Supreme Court’s Nov 20 judgment accepting the 100-metre elevation definition for Aravali hills. It had ordered all mining activities and grant of renewal or new mining leases in the Aravali region be stopped.Indefinitely keeping in abeyance the operation of Supreme Court’s Nov 20 judgment, the bench in its order had then said, “This stay shall remain in effect until the present proceedings reach a state of logical finality, ensuring that no irreversible administrative or ecological actions are taken based on the current framework.”The CJI-led bench had proposed to set up a committee of domain experts for an “exhaustive, holistic and scientific” examination of Aravali hills and ranges for a comprehensive definition to protect its “structural and ecological” integrity.Amicus curiae and senior advocate Parameshwar informed the court that in consultation with govt, a list of domain experts has been submitted to the court. The bench said it would soon list the matter to constitute the committee after hearing the parties.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Not An Iota Of Truth’: PM Modi Rubbishes Report Of Restriction On Foreign Travel28 Hostages From Kuki, Naga Communities Held By Armed Groups Released In Manipur’I Am Sorry To…’: Shashi Tharoor To Skip VD Satheesan’s Swearing-In As Kerala CMNEET UG 2026 Re-Exam On June 21, Computer-Based Test Format From Next Year: Education MinisterOman To Gujarat: India Fast-Tracks Deep-Sea Gas Pipeline Project Amid Hormuz CrisisCJI Surya Kant Makes Strong Remarks During Senior Advocate HearingKerala CM-Designate Satheesan Hits Back At BJP Over IUML, Secularism DebateFormer RAW Chief Flags Security Risks Over PM Modi’s Convoy DownsizingTMC MP Derek O’Brien Slams Centre After Petrol-Diesel Hike, Targets Modi Government’Bhojshala Complex Is A Temple, Hindus Have Right To Worship’: MP High Court123Photostories10 baby girl names that mean strong in different languagesEating every two hours? Doctors explain why constant snacking could backfire on your health5 surprisingly easy ways to lose weight without intense workoutsCannes 2026: Alia Bhatt’s royal brocade to Diane Kruger’s asymmetrical edge – Who wore what on Day 3Kishwer Merchant recalls her father’s reaction to her interfaith marriage and age gap with Suyyash Rai; reacts to her son being trolled for wearing a skull capLauki vs Tori: Which has more nutrition for summer and 5 interesting ways to eat themAncient Kashmiri beauty secrets that are becoming popular again in IndiaFrom transparent bodies to underground lives: 5 bizarre frogs you’ve probably never heard of8 modern TV unit designs to instantly upgrade your living roomPersonality test: Mango, litchi, watermelon? Pick a fruit and see if you are a natural leader, kind, or creative123Hot PicksCBSE class 12 resultUS Iran warPrateek YadavHaryana election resultForeign outflowNEET exam cancelledTamil Nadu assemblyTop TrendingNEET UG Re-Exam dateAdmit card indian army agniveer gdIPL Points TablePM ModiKerala Board SSLC Result 2026IPL 2026IPL Orange Cap 2026Bengaluru RapeWho is Shubham KhairnarIndia UA Trade Talk
NEW DELHI: Five months after staying its judgment accepting the controversial 100 metre-elevation definition for Aravali hills, Supreme Court on Friday said not an inch of Aravali would be allowed to be used for mining till an expert committee, to be constituted by the apex court, redefined what constitutes Aravali hills and ranges.As lawyers appearing for mining lease holders and those aspiring to get mining leases said the process for renewal and grant of leases could proceed without their finalisation, a bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said, “We will not pass any order to allow resumption of mining activities in Aravalis.”“We will not allow an inch of Aravali to be used for any purpose unless we are satisfied with the new definition that will be proposed by the expert committee to be constituted by us, taking into account the names suggested by amicus curiae K Parameshwar, Union govt and parties,” CJI said.Hailing from Haryana and aware of the deleterious impact of decades of illegal mining on environment and ecology of Aravalis, considered the green lung of north-western India, CJI Kant said, “The whole problem has arisen because of the powerful mining lobby. We are very clear in our minds. No activity will be permitted without us getting the report and satisfying us about the protective umbrella that needs to be put.”On Dec 29 last year, a bench led by CJI Kant had taken suo motu cognisance of the uproarious concern expressed by environmentalists over Supreme Court’s Nov 20 judgment accepting the 100-metre elevation definition for Aravali hills. It had ordered all mining activities and grant of renewal or new mining leases in the Aravali region be stopped.Indefinitely keeping in abeyance the operation of Supreme Court’s Nov 20 judgment, the bench in its order had then said, “This stay shall remain in effect until the present proceedings reach a state of logical finality, ensuring that no irreversible administrative or ecological actions are taken based on the current framework.”The CJI-led bench had proposed to set up a committee of domain experts for an “exhaustive, holistic and scientific” examination of Aravali hills and ranges for a comprehensive definition to protect its “structural and ecological” integrity.Amicus curiae and senior advocate Parameshwar informed the court that in consultation with govt, a list of domain experts has been submitted to the court. The bench said it would soon list the matter to constitute the committee after hearing the parties.
