The Delhi High Court has issued a recent directive to the Delhi Government, urging them to establish a comprehensive policy for providing compensation to individuals who have suffered loss of life or limb due to accidents caused by the prohibited Chinese manjha in the national capital.

Justice Subramonium Prasad has instructed the State Government to draft the policy and submit it to the court within eight weeks from today.

The court expressed concern over the recurring incidents of individuals losing their lives and limbs due to Chinese Manjha, despite judicial orders being issued under Section 144 of Cr.P.C.

Justice Prasad instructed the Delhi Police to submit a comprehensive status report detailing the measures taken against manufacturers and sellers of Chinese Manjha from 2017 to 2024.

The court was addressing a series of petitions that raised concerns about the proliferation of manufacturing and sales of Chinese Manjha for kite flying purposes in Delhi.

In previous updates, the Delhi Police, as per their status reports, indicated their ongoing efforts in closely monitoring wholesale and retail markets, in collaboration with Shop Owners' Associations, to minimize the sale of Chinese manjha as much as possible.

The court had instructed the Delhi Police to maintain efforts in restricting the sale of Chinese manjha in Delhi, especially during the Independence Day season. These petitions have been lodged by relatives of individuals who lost family members due to injuries caused by the banned material. They are seeking compensation from the Delhi Government and strict adherence to advisories and directives regarding the matter.

In August 2022, a division bench resolved a public interest litigation by dismissing it. This petition had requested a comprehensive prohibition on kite flying, as well as the manufacturing, sale, and storage of related objects.

The court had instructed the Delhi Government to ensure rigorous enforcement of its own orders, as well as those from the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which banned the sale of Chinese synthetic manjha.

Case Title: ISHWAR SINGH DAHIYA v. STATE OF NCT DELHI AND ORS and other connected matters