“It Appears You’re Waiting For My Retirement”: CJI Rejects Aravalli Panel Extension

Jaipur: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has rejected a request from the high powered committee examining the definition and conservation of the Aravalli range for a six month extension, directing it to submit its report by November 30, 2026.
A three judge bench headed by CJI Surya Kant was hearing the matter when the committee sought additional time until February 27, 2027. Responding sharply to the request, the Chief Justice remarked that the timeline appeared to suggest the committee was waiting for his retirement.
The court instructed the panel to accelerate its work and complete the exercise within the three month deadline. The matter will be taken up again on December 2.
The bench also stressed that the committee must undertake a comprehensive consultation before finalising its findings. Stakeholders affected by decisions concerning the Aravalli region, including tribal communities in Rajasthan and Gujarat, are expected to be consulted.
To ensure that the court proceedings are not delayed by the lengthy consultation process, the committee has also been permitted to submit an interim report.
The dispute over the Aravalli range intensified after a Supreme Court ruling on November 20, 2025, allowed mining on hills below 100 metres. The criterion triggered concerns that large portions of the ecologically important range could lose protection.
The court subsequently stayed the order on November 29 and moved towards a broader review of the issue. An expert committee was later constituted to examine the definition of the Aravallis, with the Centre and Rajasthan, Gujarat, Delhi and Haryana asked to provide their views.
During Monday’s hearing, the bench emphasised that the proceedings should not be viewed as adversarial litigation. It said the central objective was the long term conservation of the Aravalli ecosystem.
The committee’s findings are expected to influence future decisions on the scientific definition, environmental protection, mining and legal status of the Aravalli range.