The Supreme Court on Monday put on hold its own earlier order that had accepted a revised definition of the Aravalli mountain range near Delhi, and decided to seek a fresh assessment from an independent panel of experts. The move comes amid concerns raised by environmental activists and scientists that the new definition could weaken protections and allow illegal or unregulated mining in ecologically sensitive areas.

A vacation bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant said the court considered it necessary to keep both the recommendations of the earlier committee and the court’s previous directions in abeyance until further examination. The bench underlined that an impartial and independent expert opinion was essential before any implementation of the revised definition.

The court ordered the constitution of a new high-powered committee to examine issues linked to the updated definition of the Aravalli range. This panel will assess whether the revised description has expanded non-Aravalli areas in a manner that could facilitate continued unregulated mining and whether such exclusions risk ecological degradation.

Notices have been issued to the Union government and the four concerned states — Rajasthan, Gujarat, Delhi, and Haryana. The matter will be taken up again on January 21.

The issue gained momentum after protests erupted over the Centre’s notification of the new definition, with critics alleging that it was framed without adequate scientific assessment or public consultation. On Saturday, the Supreme Court had taken suo motu cognisance of the controversy surrounding the change.

During the hearing, the Centre pointed out that the court had earlier accepted a comprehensive plan for sustainable mining, prepared in compliance with a November direction that barred new mining activity without such a framework. However, the Chief Justice observed that parts of the committee report and the court’s observations appeared to be misconstrued, making clarifications necessary before any step forward.

The bench said the new committee would carry out a detailed identification of territories proposed to be excluded from the Aravalli area and evaluate whether this could compromise the ecological integrity of the range.

On Christmas Day, the Centre had announced a complete ban on granting new mining leases in the Aravallis. For mines already in operation, state governments have been directed to ensure strict adherence to environmental safeguards in line with Supreme Court orders.

Stretching about 670 kilometres from near Delhi through Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat, the Aravalli range is considered India’s oldest fold-mountain system, with origins dating back nearly two billion years.

The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the Delhi High Court’s order that had suspended the life sentence of former BJP MLA Kuldeep Sengar in the 2017 Unnao rape case. With this decision, Sengar will continue to remain in jail.

The apex court passed the order while hearing a plea filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation, which is the investigating and prosecuting agency in the case. The agency had challenged the High Court’s decision to suspend Sengar’s sentence and grant him conditional bail.

Bail order put on hold after CBI challenge

Earlier, the Delhi High Court had suspended Sengar’s life term awarded for the rape of a woman who was a minor at the time of the crime. Although bail was granted, Sengar was not expected to be released immediately as he is also serving a separate sentence in connection with the custodial death of the survivor’s father.

While staying the High Court order, the Supreme Court observed that it has a responsibility towards the survivor. The court issued notice on the CBI’s petition and granted four weeks’ time to Sengar to respond.

Survivor allowed to intervene

The Supreme Court also allowed the Unnao rape survivor to intervene in the proceedings through her petition. This ensures that her concerns will be formally heard during the hearing of the case.

The matter will now be examined further by the apex court after replies are filed by the concerned parties.

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has entered the ongoing political debate triggered by senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh’s recent social media post, using the moment to underline Sonia Gandhi’s role in promoting merit-based leadership within the party.

Without directly naming Digvijaya Singh, Reddy, considered close to the Gandhi family, posted a message on X late Sunday night praising Sonia Gandhi’s leadership decisions that led to PV Narasimha Rao and Dr Manmohan Singh becoming prime ministers. His remarks were widely seen as a counter to the narrative that questioned the Congress party’s internal organisational culture.

Reddy said that under Sonia Gandhi’s leadership, individuals from diverse backgrounds were elevated to the highest constitutional positions based on capability and commitment. He referred to PV Narasimha Rao’s journey from a remote village in Telangana to the prime minister’s office, and the appointment of economist Dr Manmohan Singh as prime minister, as examples of the party rewarding merit.

He further stated that the Congress has played a central role in shaping modern India, from the freedom movement to the building of democratic institutions, and in holding together a diverse nation.

Background of the Digvijaya Singh post row

The controversy began after Digvijaya Singh shared an old photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the 1990s and praised the organisational strength of the BJP and its ideological mentor, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. In his post, Singh described the rise of grassroots workers within that organisation as “impressive” and called it an example of the “power of organisation”.

The post, which tagged senior Congress leaders, triggered sharp reactions within the party. Singh later clarified that his comments were limited to organisational structure and not an endorsement of ideology.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge reiterated that the party has never sought votes in the name of religion, while party spokesperson Pawan Khera dismissed the remarks by drawing a sharp ideological line between Mahatma Gandhi and those associated with Nathuram Godse.

Political reactions and internal dynamics

The issue also drew reactions from the BJP, which accused the Congress leadership of being autocratic and questioned whether Rahul Gandhi would respond to Singh’s remarks. Meanwhile, Digvijaya Singh and Rahul Gandhi were seen together at a Congress Working Committee meeting in Delhi, where sources said the exchange was treated lightly.

Singh’s comments have also been linked to a broader discussion within the Congress about organisational reforms, echoed earlier by leaders such as Shashi Tharoor, who has spoken about the need for strengthening the party structure beyond the Gandhi family.

Sources indicated that Singh’s remarks may also be influenced by uncertainty over his future in the Rajya Sabha, with his term ending early next year.