Authority: Supreme Court of India

Order Date: 28-07-2026

Case Overview

  • Petition for Special Leave to Appeal (C) No.21211/2012, arising from High Court judgment dated 25-05-2012 (DBCWP No.6591/2011).
  • Petitioner: Birla Corporation Limited; Respondents: Bhanwar Singh & Ors., with State of Rajasthan (respondent No.8) and multiple interveners (IA Nos. 142082/2026, 140567/2024, 250208/2023, 249754/2023, 6/2017, 61659/2022, 251336/2023, etc.).
  • Hearing before Hon'ble Mr. Justice S.V.N. Bhatti and Hon'ble Mr. Justice N.V. Anjaria.
  • Counsel for petitioner included senior advocates Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Shyam Divan, Kunal Vajani, among others.
  • Counsel for respondents included Additional Solicitor General Mr. S.D. Sanjay, senior counsel Ms. Ruchi Kohli, and a long list of senior advocates.

Court Directions

1. Court noted the response‑affidavit of the State of Rajasthan (respondent No.8).

2. Additional Solicitor General Mr. S.D. Sanjay requested reasonable time to place on record a Committee report prepared after deliberation of all available reports.

3. Senior counsel for respondents, Ms. Ruchi Kohli, submitted that interested parties have both objections and suggestions regarding preservation of Chittorgarh Fort.

4. Senior counsel for petitioner, Mr. Shyam Divan, argued that the State Government’s decision based on the material is already placed before the Court.

5. Court emphasized that the State is the ultimate authority for preserving archaeologically important structures and should take a candid, categorical stand.

6. Parties, including interveners, are given two weeks from 28-07-2026 to file their objections/suggestions before the Chief Secretary (Mining), Government of Rajasthan. The State Government will examine every aspect and file its categorical view on areas to be prohibited from blasting and areas where blasting may proceed.

7. The Chief Secretary is given liberty to decide whether an opportunity of hearing should be afforded to the parties, including the interveners.

8. The list of parties is to be filed on 08-09-2026.

Final Outcome

  • The Supreme Court directed the Rajasthan Government, through the Chief Secretary (Mining), to consider all objections and suggestions on the preservation of Chittorgarh Fort, to delineate zones where blasting activity is prohibited and zones where it may continue, and to submit a categorical view within the two‑week period, with a compliance list due on 08-09-2026.

Topics: Heritage Preservation, Mining Regulation