Nylon manja worth Rs 6 crore seized at Silvassa factory; High Court satisfied with police probe

Police have made a major breakthrough in tracing the source of the deadly nylon manja trade. They have found a large source of nylon manja in Silvassa (Dadra and Nagar Haveli), where it was being made at an unidentified factory. Goods worth about Rs 6 crore have been seized.

The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court expressed satisfaction with the police investigation. It also directed that a similar probe be conducted in the remaining districts of Vidarbha.

Earlier, the court had expressed displeasure over the police delay in finding the source of the nylon manja supply. At the previous hearing, it emerged that police had not investigated enough to reach the root of the supply chain. For this reason, the bench of Justice Anil Kilor and Justice Rajnish Vyas had taken a strict stand.

The police then widened the probe and conducted raids at various places. The Superintendent of Police (Rural) filed an affidavit in the court giving details of the action. The police team traced a major source of the manja supply to Silvassa, where nylon manja was found being produced at an unidentified factory. Goods worth an estimated Rs 6 crore were seized.

The police affidavit also mentions other possible sources of nylon manja. The court took note of this and expressed satisfaction with the investigation. It made a significant observation that if there is an intention to reach the root of a crime, the police can do so.

The court also said the investigative process followed in Nagpur district to find the sources of nylon manja supply should be carried out in the other ten districts of Vidarbha as well. It made clear that police must assess the situation in all these districts and file an affidavit by October 29. Police will now be watching the entire nylon manja supply chain in Vidarbha.

At the hearing on destroying the seized nylon manja, advocate Sanyal, appearing for the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, cited a letter dated December 23, 2025. The letter informed the district collectors of Nagpur, Bhandara, Gondia and Wardha that nylon manja could be destroyed at a cement factory. Additional Government Pleader Uke said the seized manja had been disposed of.

Advocate Gemini Kasat, appearing for the municipal corporation, said the Pollution Control Board had informed Chandrapur about one such cement factory. The court directed the officials concerned to obtain the necessary permissions to destroy the seized nylon manja and report to the court within 15 days.