The Delhi High Court has directed the city police to ensure there is no sale of Chinese manjha in the national capital during the forthcoming Independence Day period, a “kite-flying season”.
Justice Prathiba M Singh noted that the Delhi police have taken several steps to stop the sale of Chinese manjha and even registered 284 cases from February 16 to August 3 in an effort to check the menace.
“Accordingly, it is directed that Delhi Police shall continue to take steps to restrain the sale of Chinese manjha in Delhi even during the forthcoming Independence Day period, which is the kite-flying season,” said the court in an order released Thursday.
The court was hearing four petitions by family members of those who died or were injured by Chinese manjha while riding motorcycles.
The petitioners have sought action and compensation from the authorities.
The court, in the order dated August 8, recorded that, as per a status report filed by the police, efforts have been made to implement the ban on stock, sale, storage, and manufacture of the prohibited thread in any manner and to take legal action when needed.
A meeting was organised with the wholesale dealers of kites and manjha products to apprise them about the complete ban on kite flying thread made of nylon, plastic, or any other synthetic material popularly known as Chinese manjha, and they were directed to share information on those selling the banned product.