Chinese Manjha Kills: HC warns State against treating ban as ‘Advisory’

The Allahabad High Court has once again directed the Uttar Pradesh government to strictly enforce the ban on the manufacture, sale, and use of Chinese ‘manjha’, warning that lax enforcement during the peak kite-flying season poses a serious public safety risk. The order reinforces existing judicial directions and puts the onus squarely on the State to act immediately.

The Court was hearing a public interest petition seeking a complete prohibition on Chinese ‘manjha’, a synthetic kite string widely blamed for fatal injuries to pedestrians, riders, and birds. Petitioners pointed out that despite earlier court orders mandating preventive action, the dangerous material continues to circulate, especially around Makar Sankranti when kite flying intensifies across Uttar Pradesh. They argued that repeated inaction by authorities has rendered prior judicial directions ineffective on the ground.

A division bench led by Chief Justice Arun Bhansali, along with Justice Kshitij Shailendra, stressed that the State cannot treat earlier orders as advisory. Recalling binding directions issued as far back as 2015, the court observed that Chinese ‘manjha’ “endangers the lives of humans and birds” and requires zero tolerance from enforcement agencies. The bench directed the government to ensure full compliance with existing bans and closed the proceedings after reiterating its mandate.

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