The Supreme Court will hear a suo motu case on December 29 regarding the definition of the Aravalli Hills, following widespread concerns that a new 100-meter elevation criterion could permit unregulated mining. A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant will examine the issue, which stems from a November 20 judgment accepting a new definition. Environmentalists argue this definition excludes significant portions of the range, threatening ecological balance and water security. The Centre has banned new mining leases in the region amid the controversy.