Aravalli Mining: Supreme Court Cites Disturbing Reports; Refuses Relief To Lease Holders

A CJI Surya Kant led bench of the Supreme Court refused to pass any orders in favour of mining lease holders for now owing to "quite disturbing" feedback it has been receiving regarding mining in the Aravalli hills and range.

"Reports coming in are disturbing..nothing shall happen there till we order..we had asked for domain experts..we are not experts on it..", the CJI said to a mentioning made before the bench.

Later during the day when the case was taken up, CJI asked for the list of domain experts on the issue.

In response Senior Advocate K Parameshwar told the bench, "We have filed an affidavit..the Union, CEC and I are ad idem on the names..".

As the bench did not have a copy of the affidavit so filed, it went on to post the matter on a further date. On the aspect of the affidavit not being before the bench, even after being filed, the CJI said, "..where are those names..yeh humara office itna poor show karta hai..we will see, we will take up on a short date..jo matter lage hote hain unki paperpook kabhi yahan nhi hoti.."

In February, while hearing its suo motu proceedings on the definition and demarcation of the Aravalli Hills, Court had directed that status quo on mining and related activities will remain in force until an expert committee is constituted and preliminary issues are addressed.

Earlier court had requested the Union Ministry concerned to suggest a panel of domain experts along with their profiles. Senior counsel appearing in the matter were also asked to propose names of eminent experts for consideration by the Court for constitution of a committee, as previously indicated.

In its order, the Court had recorded that it was “conscious of the fact that all activities, especially mining, for which license/lease etc. and necessary permissions were granted have come to be at a halt.” However, it directed that “such status quo would have to be maintained for the time being till some of the preliminary issues are effectively answered after the constitution of the committee.”

Court made it clear that the pause on mining and allied activities would continue until the expert body is formed and foundational questions relating to the definition and extent of the Aravalli ranges are examined in a phased manner.

The suo motu case arises from concerns regarding conflicting definitions and demarcations of the Aravalli Hills, which have direct implications for environmental regulation, land use controls and mining permissions across affected regions.

Earlier, the Court had “impressed upon” the amicus and all assisting counsel that a comprehensive note must be placed on record, clearly setting out the issues and questions that arise from the revised definition of the Aravalli Hills. The Court had also sought suggestions of names of eminent environmentalists, forest experts, scientists and other domain specialists so that an expert body can be constituted. “Such a committee shall work under the direct control and supervision of this Court,” the CJI had said.

The bench had noted submissions that illegal mining was continuing at scattered locations, reiterating its concern that such activities could lead to irreversible environmental damage. K.M. Nataraj, appearing for Rajasthan, assured the Court that the State would ensure that no illegal mining takes place. The Court had clarified that its interim directions issued on December 29, 2025, would continue to operate. Earlier, the bench had warned against filing fresh writ petitions on the issue, observing that it was aware of the reasons behind such filings, and had stressed the need for a scientific and expert-driven assessment of the Aravalli range.

In December 2025, the Court had said that the expert committee report accepted earlier by the Court, along with certain judicial observations flowing from it, may have led to “misunderstood notions” that require clarification before any implementation. The Court had earlier declined to impose a blanket ban on mining in the Aravalli region, observing that total prohibitions often end up encouraging illegal mining rather than curbing environmental damage. Notably, in November 2025, the Supreme Court had directed the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to prepare a Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) through Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) for the entire Aravalis, i.e., understood as the continuous geological ridge extending from Gujarat to Delhi.

Case Title: In Re: Definition of Aravalli Hills and Ranges and Ancillary Issues

Bench: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi

Hearing Date: May 15, 2026