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Synopsis

Following the National Green Tribunal (NGT) judgment, the Delhi High Court on Friday directed the Delhi Police and other concerned authorities to strictly enforce the ban on use of "Chinese manjha/synthetic manjha" (kite string) in kite flying, reports ANI.

A division bench of Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Sanser Pal Singh, a practicing advocate, seeking directions to the Centre and Delhi government to impose a ban on flying, making, sale-purchase, storage, and transportation of kites.

While hearing the plea, the Court refused to pass any direction to ban kite flying.

Counsel for Delhi Police, GNCTD apprised the Court that the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) is actively dealing with the issue and has issued a memorandum on the subject from time to time.

While opposing the petition, counsel for the Central Government stated that the demand for a complete ban on kite flying is unfair and unreasonable because it is an important cultural and religious activity.

On Thursday, the High Court had asked the Delhi police about the steps they were taking to stop the availability and sale of Chinese manjha/synthetic manjha, which was banned by the NGT.

The Plea stated that many people and birds have been killed or injured due to accidents caused by kite strings, and such incidents occur regularly. It alleged that the only solution is a complete ban on flying, making, selling, purchasing, storing, and transporting kites and kite-related objects, as it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to catch the culprit or assign responsibility when an accident occurs due to kite string.