SC to take up Aravalli hills matter today

Amid controversies over the definition of Aravalli hills approved by it, the Supreme Court (SC) has taken suo motu cognisance of the issue and is slated to hear the matter on Monday.

A three-judge bench vacation of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices JK Maheshwari and Augustine George Masih is likely to hear the matter. The Bench will also hear the appeal of CBI, challenging the Delhi High Court order suspending the life sentence of expelled BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the Unnao rape case.

The top court, on November 20, had accepted a uniform definition of the Aravalli hills and ranges and banned grant of fresh mining leases inside its areas spanning Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat until experts’ reports are out. 

Apart from the CBI’s appeal in Sengar case, the Bench will also hear a separate petition filed by advocates Anjale Patel and Pooja Shilpkar.