Bombay HC angry over nylon manjha, seeks solid report from Maharashtra govt by Monday

The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has taken a strict stance against the Maharashtra government over a complaint that the administration has failed to stop the sale and use of the deadly nylon manjha. The court said the information submitted by the government on controlling and banning nylon manjha was vague, and expressing displeasure over this, asked for clear and solid information. The government must submit a detailed report to the court by next Monday.

The rising use of nylon manjha has increased the risk not just to people but also to birds and other animals. Despite the ban, it is easily available in the market, and complaints of its use in kite flying keep coming in. This is why the court has taken the matter seriously.

The hearing was held before a bench of Justice Anil Kilor and Justice Rajnish Vyas. Amicus curiae Advocate Nishchay Jadhav drew the court's attention to accidents caused by nylon manjha. He said that last year, a large number of people were injured because of nylon manjha in Vidarbha. Two-wheeler riders, pedestrians and other citizens have repeatedly been badly injured after getting caught in the manjha.

The state environment department had issued a notification on March 1, 2023 banning the production, sale and use of nylon manjha. Even after this, the banned manjha has kept reaching the market, with complaints of it being sold covertly. The court also raised the question of how the manjha is reaching the market despite the ban, and at what level the responsible departments are acting on it. The court has earlier directed the administration to take necessary steps, but with no significant change seen in the situation, it has now sought a response from the government.

The hearing also brought out that it is unclear how effective the ban has been on the ground despite the notification. The government has been asked to respond on how much action has been taken against violators, how many cases have been registered, how much manjha has been seized, and what concrete steps the administration has taken to stop the sale. Nylon manjha, being stronger than ordinary thread, can cause serious injuries in accidents. It can prove fatal especially for two-wheeler riders when it lies stretched across roads. Birds also keep getting injured after getting caught in it on trees and power lines.

The High Court has told the government that vague or general information will no longer be accepted, and it must present its case with solid and factual information. At the next hearing on Monday, the government will have to give the court a full account of the steps and action taken so far to stop the sale and use of nylon manjha. Following the court's strict stance, attention now turns to what action the administration takes next, and what information the government presents at the next hearing on enforcing the ban on the ground.