Experts Question Independence of Supreme Court Panel on Aravalli Hills
New Delhi, June 20, 2026 — A group of scientists, environmentalists, and policy experts has written to the Chief Justice of India, raising concerns about the composition of a Supreme Court-appointed high-powered expert committee. The committee is tasked with reviewing the Centre's report on the definition and delineation of the Aravalli hill range.
The letters, sent on June 18 and 19, 2026, seek changes to the committee's composition, questioning its independence. The committee, established under a Supreme Court order on May 25, 2026, is chaired by Kanchan Devi, Director General of the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education. It is required to submit its report by August 31.
Other members include Dr. Subhash Ashutosh, former Director General of the Forest Survey of India; Dr. Rajendra Kumar Sharma, former Director of the Geological Survey of India; Brij Mohan Singh Rathore, former Joint Secretary in the Environment Ministry; and Professor Ashok K. Bhatnagar, former head of the Department of Botany at Delhi University. The court also named Professor Jagdish Krishnaswamy of the Indian Institute for Human Settlements, Bengaluru, and Professor Laxmikant Sharma of the Central University of Haryana as special invitees. The Environment Ministry has been directed to nominate an officer of director rank as member secretary.
In one letter, environmentalist Dr. Ravi Chopra expressed doubts about the panel's ability to provide independent opinions. He noted that almost all members are serving or retired government officials. Drawing on his experience as chair of two Supreme Court-appointed committees, Chopra wrote that such officials had "never voted against the views of the government in power," despite expressing contrary opinions in discussions.
In a separate letter, policy expert Sagar Dhara cited previous high-powered committees that were headed by independent experts. For instance, physicist Professor MGK Menon chaired a 1997 committee on hazardous waste management. Dhara argued that the Aravalli matter requires a similar approach, with members not limited to government officers.
Environmentalist Samita Kaur from Punjab called for including members with expertise in health, occupational issues, traditional livelihoods, ecology, wildlife, and hydrology. The Supreme Court has not yet responded to the letters.
