SC Cracks Down: Aravalli Panel Gets Strict Deadline, CJI Expresses Frustration

The Supreme Court has delivered a stern message to the high-powered committee tasked with defining the ecologically vital Aravalli hills and range, rejecting its plea for a six-month extension and setting a non-negotiable deadline of November 30, 2026, for its final report. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, visibly frustrated, remarked whether the committee was "waiting for my retirement" as he dismissed the request.

The bench, comprising CJI Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, unequivocally stated that no further extensions would be granted to the five-member panel, which is headed by Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) director general Kanchan Devi. The court directed the committee to "work day and night" to meet the newly imposed deadline.

"The high-powered committee has sought an extension till February 28, 2027, with the first stroke of the pen.

We reject this plea," the bench's order declared.

This development holds significant weight as the fresh exercise to define the Aravallis was initiated by the Supreme Court itself. This came after the court had previously put on hold its own November 2025 decision which accepted a controversial definition.

Environmentalists had expressed serious concerns that this earlier definition could leave vast portions of the ecologically fragile Aravalli range vulnerable to extensive mining activities, posing a severe threat to the region's biodiversity and environmental balance.

In a move to ensure progress and address urgent matters, the court also instructed the committee to submit interim reports on specific issues. This measure aims to allow for the separate handling of critical aspects of the dispute without having to wait for the completion of the entire, comprehensive exercise. The CJI is set to demit office on February 9, 2027, adding a layer of urgency to his directive for the committee to expedite its work.

The Supreme Court's firm stance underscores its commitment to the timely and accurate definition of the Aravalli range, a decision that will have far-reaching implications for environmental protection and regulatory frameworks concerning mining in the region.

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