Chinese Manjha Claims Life of 25-Year-Old in Varanasi: NGT Issues Notice to UPPCB
National Green Tribunal has issues notices to authorities on a mother’s plea seeking compensation after her 25-year-old son died in Varanasi due to banned Chinese manjha
NGT takes up a mother’s compensation plea after her son’s throat was slit by Chinese manjha
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on September 2, 2025, issued notices to authorities, including the Union of India, on a plea filed by a woman seeking compensation after her 25-year-old son died when his throat was slit by Chinese manjha in Varanasi.
The matter was heard by a bench comprising NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, and Expert Members Dr. A. Senthil Vel, Sudhir Kumar Chaturvedi and Sujit Kumar Bajpayee.
The petition was filed by Shyamlata, whose son Viveek Sharma died on December 31, 2024, while travelling with her on the Chauka Ghat–Lahartara flyover. A nylon kite string, coated with glass and metallic powder, got entangled around his neck. He was rushed to the BHU Trauma Centre but succumbed to his injuries.
The plea argued that the tragedy was the direct result of the authorities’ failure to enforce the NGT’s July 2017 ban on the manufacture, sale and use of Chinese and nylon manjha. Despite repeated orders, the string continues to be openly available, the petition said.
To press the demand for compensation, the petitioner cited an August 2023 order of the Delhi High Court directing the Delhi government to frame a policy for victims of manjha-related accidents. Counsel for the petitioner also produced an RTI response from the Uttar Pradesh government dated July 31, 2025, which stated that such a policy was still “under consideration”.
Appearing for the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board, advocate Sthavi Asthana accepted the notice. The tribunal has directed the board to file its reply within four weeks. The petitioner has been asked to serve notices to other respondents and file proof of service.
The matter will now be heard on November 26, 2025.
The petitioner was represented by advocates Saurabh Tiwari and Vikash Tiwari.
Chinese Manjha was banned by the Indian government in 2017 due to its hazardous nature. Despite this prohibition, its availability and use persist, raising significant concerns regarding public safety.
The Delhi High Court, on August 27, 2025, issued notice on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking strict enforcement of the ban on the use of ‘Chinese Manjha’ in the National Capital of Delhi. The PIL stated that Chinese Manjha is a thread made of nylon, plastic, or other synthetic material, often coated with glass or metallic dust, and commonly used for kite flying.
It alleged that the existing ban remains largely ineffective due to the absence of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for investigation by the Delhi Police, which has resulted in minimal recovery in registered FIRs and delayed filing of chargesheets.
Case Title: Shyamlata vs UOI and Others
Order Date: September 2, 2025
Coram: Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Expert Members Dr. A. Senthil Vel, Sudhir Kumar Chaturvedi and Sujit Kumar Bajpayee