Plea in Delhi HC Seeks Enforcement of Ban on Hazardous Use of Chinese Manjha

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued notice on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking strict enforcement of the ban on the widespread and hazardous use of ‘Chinese Manjha’ in the National Capital of Delhi.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela has sought responses from the Government of NCT of Delhi, the Union of India, and the Commissioner of Police, Delhi. The respondents have been asked to file their counter-affidavits, and the matter has been listed for further hearing on November 19, 2025.

The PIL filed by Gaurav Gupta, through Advocate Sanyam Rastogi, has called for the effective implementation of the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023, including the appointment of adjudicating officers, and also seeks directions to the Delhi Police to frame a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for conducting investigations into cases related to the sale and use of Chinese Manjha.

The plea points out that despite repeated bans on Chinese Manjha, it continues to be used extensively across the city. The petition recalls that the Delhi Government had issued a notification on January 10, 2017, prohibiting the sale, storage, production, supply, import, and use of Chinese Manjha, while the National Green Tribunal (NGT) reinforced the ban through its order dated July 11, 2017.

According to the PIL, 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 argues that this material has caused a “large number of accidents” in and around Delhi, resulting in grievous injuries and even fatalities. “A large number of people are getting injured, and not only people, even animals and birds are also becoming victims of Chinese Manjha,” the plea before the court submits.

“The Petitioner, a vigilant citizen, is gravely concerned about the severe injuries and fatalities inflicted upon humans and animals/birds, as well as the detrimental impact on public infrastructure, all attributable to this non-biodegradable and razor-sharp kite string,” the plea adds.

It has been further submitted 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.

The plea also highlights the operational void created by the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023, which replaced imprisonment with monetary penalties under Section 15 of the Environment Protection Act, 1986. Despite this amendment, the plea argues that Respondent No. 2 has yet to appoint adjudicating officers, rendering the new penalty mechanism largely dormant.

Further, it contends that trial courts often adopt a lenient approach when dealing with such offences, frequently compounding them with negligible fines. This, the plea states, fails to create any genuine deterrent effect and allows perpetrators to re-engage in the illegal trade without fear of serious consequences.

”This Hon'ble Court is already seized of several writ petitions seeking compensation for victims, and has previously underscored the necessity of effective enforcement. Despite the Petitioner's consistent efforts, no substantial action has been taken to curb the open sale of Chinese Manjha in Delhi's markets and online platforms,” the plea states.

Emphasising that the continuing sale and use of Chinese Manjha amounts to a violation of Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to life and safety, the plea states that its usage has not only caused numerous fatalities and grievous injuries but also electric disruptions and accidental electrocution due to its entanglement with electric lines. 

Case Title: Gaurav Gupta vs the Govt of NCT of Delhi

Date: August 27, 2025

Bench: Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela