The Supreme Court stayed the new definition of the Aravallis, while ordering the formation of a high-powered committee to conduct a multi-temporal investigation of the Aravalli hills and mountain ranges.
In an earlier hearing, the court put the bail granted to Unnao rape case convict Kuldeep Singh Sengar by the Delhi High Court on hold.
The decision came amid heavy security outside the court premises as a three-judge Bench heard the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) plea against the Delhi High Court order that suspended the life sentence and granted bail to expelled Bharatiya Janata Party leader Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the 2017 Unnao rape case.
Here Are The Highlights From The Supreme Court Hearing
An LK Advani Twist In Supreme Court Hearing On Unnao Rape Convict's Bail
The Supreme Court on Monday stepped in to halt the release of former Uttar Pradesh MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar, staying a Delhi High Court order that had suspended his life sentence and granted him bail in the 2017 Unnao rape case.
Union Environment Minister Welcomes Top Court Order On Aravallis
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav welcomed the Supreme Court's decision to stay its order accepting a uniform definition of the Aravalli hills and ranges, and said the government stands committed to its protection and restoration.
"I welcome the Supreme Court directions introducing a stay on its order concerning the Aravalli range, and the formation of a new committee to study issues. We stand committed to extending all assistance sought from MOEFCC in the protection and restoration of the Aravalli range," Yadav said in a post on X.
I welcome the Supreme Court directions introducing a stay on its order concerning the Aravalli range, and the formation of a new committee to study issues.
— Bhupender Yadav (@byadavbjp) December 29, 2025
We stand committed to extending all assistance sought from MOEFCC in the protection and restoration of the Aravalli range.…
'Not A Victory, Just Time To Breathe': Unnao Survivor's Counsel
Mehmood Pracha, advocate for the Unnao rape survivor, said the stay has given the victim a brief pause but left serious concerns unaddressed. "I can assure the victims that we have got a small relief. This should not be called victory, but we have got a little time to breathe," Pracha said.
He criticised the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for limiting its arguments before the court and for not consulting the survivor's legal team.
He said, "The court did not hear us on the main merits. CBI has just discussed the tip of the iceberg of the case; we have the entire matter with us. CBI did not make us a party in this case. We cannot treat this judgment as a victory for the victim."
"Do you want me to be happy when the girl has been taken away by the CRPF? I don't even get a chance to speak to her about the order, so do you think I will be happy?" he said.
"Full Faith": Unnao Rape Case Survivor After Top Court Hearing
The Unnao rape survivor expressed her full faith in the justice system. "I am very happy with this decision. I have got justice from the Supreme Court. I have been raising my voice for justice from the very beginning," the survivor told PTI.
Here is what she told NDTV:
"Demand his death sentence": Unnao rape survivor after Supreme Court stays Kuldeep Sengar's bail @tejshreethought pic.twitter.com/3byDQpnn87
— NDTV (@ndtv) December 29, 2025
About Committee Recommendations On Aravallis That Led To Protests
The committee had recommended that "Aravalli Hill" be defined as any landform in designated Aravalli districts with an elevation of 100 metres or more above its local relief, and an "Aravalli Range" will be a collection of two or more such hills within 500 metres of each other.
The committee, while defining Aravalli hills, said, "Any landform located in the Aravalli districts, having an elevation of 100 metres or more from the local relief, shall be termed as Aravalli Hills... The entire landform lying within the area enclosed by such lowest contour, whether actual or extended notionally, together with the Hill, its supporting slopes and associated landforms irrespective of their gradient, shall be deemed to constitute part of the Aravalli Hills."
The panel also defined the Aravalli Range and said, "Two or more Aravalli Hills ..., located within a proximity of 500m from each other, measured from the outermost point on the boundary of the lowest contour line on either side, form the Aravalli Range.
"The area between the two Aravalli hills is determined by first creating buffers with a width equal to the minimum distance between the lowest contour lines of both hills ... The entire area of landforms falling between the lowest contour lines of these hills, as explained, along with associated features such as Hills, Hillocks, supporting slopes, etc., shall also be included as part of the Aravalli Range."
Five Questions Posed By Top Court On Aravallis Issue
1. Does limiting the definition of Aravallis to a 500 metres area create a structural contradiction where the protected area becomes smaller?
2. Does this increase the scope of the non-Aravalli area where regulated mining can be carried out?
3. Will regulated mining be permitted in the gap between two areas of 100 metres or more, and what about the 700 metres gap between them?
4. How can it be ensured that ecological continuity is maintained?
5. If any significant regulatory deficiency is found, will a critical assessment be required to maintain the structural integrity of the range?
Notable Points From Unnao Hearing
- Appearing for the CBI, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta highlighted that the victim was a minor - approximately 15 years and 10 months - at the time the offence of rape was committed on her.
- Mehta said that the Delhi High Court wrongly held that then MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar is not a "public servant" under Section 5(c) of POCSO.
- The POCSO provisions state that when penetrative sexual assault is committed by specific individuals such as police officers, armed forces personnel, public servants, or employees of educational institutions/hospitals, the offense becomes aggravated, leading to harsher penalties, Mehta said.
- Mehta stated that Sengar was held guilty of murdering the father of the survivor and is still in jail for that.
- The Supreme Court said the survivor may file a separate special leave petition (SLP) before the apex court, if required, and that the SC Legal Services Committee would provide legal aid.
- The urvivor's family said their fight will continue till he is held guilty, adding that they have complete faith in the judiciary.
About The Aravallis Range
The Aravalli range is a 670-kilometre-long mountain range in northwestern India. The highest elevation of the range has been recorded at 1,722 metres. The hill starts near Delhi, passes through Haryana, Rajasthan, and ends in Gujarat. The highest peak of the range is known as Guru Shikhar, in Mount Abu, Rajasthan. The Aravalli range is the oldest fold-mountain belt in India, dating back around 2 billion years.
Top Court Issues Notice To 4 Aravalli States
The Supreme Court has "put in abeyance" its November 20 decision to accept the Central Environment Ministry's definition of the Aravalli Hills and Aravalli Range.
The top court's acceptance of the definition in November had exposed most of the Aravalli region to the risk of being used for regulated mining.
The Court has also issued notice to the Centre and the four Aravalli states - Rajasthan, Gujarat, Delhi and Haryana - seeking their response to its suo motu case on the issue.
The development follows objections to the Centre's newly notified definition of the Aravalli mountain range, which is based on a 100-metre height criterion.
Supreme Court Orders Formation Of Committee To Probe Aravallis Issue
The top court has ordered the formation of a high-powered committee to conduct a multi-temporal investigation of the Aravalli hills and mountain ranges. The committee will include domain experts, and will work with the aim to protect the structural and ecological integrity of the mountain range.
The Court noted that the Aravallis are the only barrier preventing the Thar Desert from expanding towards the Gangetic plains.
Top Court Seeks Kuldeep Sengar's Reply In 4 Weeks
Issuing a notice to Unnao rape case convict Kuldeep Singh Sengar, the Supreme Court asked him to file a reply in four weeks.
Supreme Court Stays Kuldeep Sengar's Bail
The Supreme Court stayed the Delhi High Court's order which granted bail to Unnao rape case convict Kuldeep Singh Sengar.
Chief Justice of India said there no question of taking away personal liberty (of Sengar) as he is still in jail in connection with another case.
Unnao Rape Survivor's Mother Faints In Court
As the Supreme Court hears the CBI's plea, the Unnao rape survivor's mother fainted inside the courtroom and was administered medical aid.
Kuldeep Sengar To Remain In Jail
Kuldeep Singh Sengar was convicted in December 2019 in the Unnao rape case and sentenced to life imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 25 lakh. Though granted bail in this case, he will continue to remain in jail as he is serving a 10-year sentence in another CBI case related to murder.
"Have Faith In Supreme Court: Unnao Survivor Ahead Of Hearing
The survivor in the 2017 Unnao rape case had said on Sunday that she has faith that she will get justice from the Supreme Court and appealed to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to ensure her safety so she can fight her legal battle without fear.
She claimed that Kuldeep Singh Sengar had bribed officials, including the CBI Investigating Officer and Delhi High Court judge, and said her family had suffered severe consequences since Kuldeep Singh Sengar's bail.
Security Heightened As Top Court Hears Unnao Case
Security has been heightened outside the Supreme Court as a three-judge vacation bench led by Justice Surya Kant hears the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) plea challenging the Delhi High Court's decision against the suspension of 2017 Unnao rape convict Kuldeep Sengar's life sentence.
This comes after the Delhi High Court recently granted conditional bail to former Uttar Pradesh MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the 2017 rape case.
