The Delhi High Court issued notice on a PIL demanding strict action against the sale and use of banned Chinese Manjha in the capital. The petition highlights serious injuries, deaths, and risks to both humans and animals.
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NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued a notice on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that demands strict enforcement of the ban on the dangerous ‘Chinese Manjha’ in Delhi.
The division bench, led by Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, has asked for replies from the Government of NCT of Delhi, the Union of India, and the Delhi Commissioner of Police.
The respondents will now have to file their counter-affidavits, and the matter is scheduled for the next hearing on November 19, 2025.
The PIL has been filed by Gaurav Gupta, through Advocate Sanyam Rastogi. It asks for proper enforcement of the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023, including the appointment of adjudicating officers, and also requests that the Delhi Police frame a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for investigating cases involving the sale and use of Chinese Manjha.
The plea stresses that although the government has banned this material multiple times, it is still being used openly in many parts of Delhi.
The petition recalls that the Delhi Government had already issued a notification on January 10, 2017, which banned the sale, storage, production, supply, import, and use of Chinese Manjha. Later, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) also supported this ban through its order on July 11, 2017.
As described in the PIL, Chinese Manjha is a thread made using nylon, plastic, or synthetic material, often coated with glass or metallic dust, and is mostly used in kite flying. The plea argues that this sharp thread has been the cause of a “large number of accidents” in Delhi, leaving people with serious injuries and even leading to deaths.
It further states:
“A large number of people are getting injured, and not only people, even animals and birds are also becoming victims of Chinese Manjha.”
The petition adds,
“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.”
It has also been highlighted that the ban is not being properly implemented due to the absence of an SOP for police investigations.
This has led to very few recoveries in FIRs and long delays in filing chargesheets.
The plea further points out the problem with the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023, which replaced jail terms with monetary penalties under Section 15 of the Environment Protection Act, 1986. The petition argues that since adjudicating officers have not been appointed yet, this penalty system has no effect in reality.
Additionally, it claims that trial courts often take a very lenient approach, compounding offences with negligible fines, which does not create any real deterrent. Instead, it allows violators to continue the illegal business without fear.
The plea also recalls past matters before the High Court and says,
“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.”
It emphasises that the sale and use of Chinese Manjha is a violation of Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to life and safety.
The plea underlines that apart from deaths and grievous injuries, the thread also causes disruptions in electricity supply and even electrocution accidents, as it often gets entangled in electric wires.
Explanatory Table of Laws and Sections Mentioned
| Law / Act / Order | Year | Relevant Section / Provision | What It Says | Relevance in This Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Environment Protection Act | 1986 | Section 15 | Provides punishment for offences under the Act – earlier imprisonment + fine, but later amended. | The plea highlights that after amendment, only monetary penalties are allowed, and no adjudicating officers have been appointed yet. |
| Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act | 2023 | Amended Section 15 of Environment Protection Act | Reduced punishments in many laws by replacing jail terms with monetary penalties, requiring adjudicating officers to enforce penalties. | The petition argues this amendment has left a loophole because no officers were appointed, making enforcement ineffective. |
| Delhi Government Notification | 2017 (Jan 10) | Complete Ban on Chinese Manjha | Prohibited the sale, storage, production, supply, import, and use of Chinese Manjha in Delhi. | The petition recalls this notification but argues enforcement has been poor. |
| National Green Tribunal (NGT) Order | 2017 (July 11) | Reinforced the Delhi Govt Notification | Directed strict enforcement of the ban due to environmental and safety concerns. | The plea says that despite this, the dangerous thread is still easily available in Delhi markets and online. |
| Article 21 of the Constitution of India | — | Right to Life & Personal Liberty | Guarantees protection of life and safety of citizens. | The plea claims that Chinese Manjha’s continued use violates Article 21, as it causes deaths, grievous injuries, and even electrocution. |
| Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) – To Be Framed by Delhi Police | — | Not yet implemented | Would act as a guideline for investigating offences related to sale and use of Chinese Manjha. | The petition demands an SOP to ensure uniform investigation and enforcement. |
Case Title:
Gaurav Gupta vs Govt of NCT of Delhi
Date:
August 27, 2025
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