Supreme Court Stays Aravali Definition Order; CJI Surya Kant Flags Ecological Concerns

In this Special Report, India Today Legal Correspondent Aneesha Mathur details a significant development for environmental conservation as the Supreme Court stays its own November 20 judgment regarding the definition of the Aravali hills. A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has put the '100-metre height' criterion on hold following public outrage and protests, largely from Rajasthan. The court initiated suo motu proceedings to review the impact of the new definition, which activists feared would open 90% of the ancient range to mining. Mathur notes, 'The Supreme Court has put its own order on hold, staying the centre's definition of the Aravalli hill range.' A new panel will now study the ecological implications.