Chinese Manjha Accidents: High Court Directs Delhi Police To Continue Regular Registration Of Cases To Avoid Injuries & Deaths

The Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi Police to continue its monitoring and regular registration of cases to avoid injuries or deaths due to the sale of banned Chinese manjha in the national capital.

Justice Prathiba M Singh was hearing a bunch of pleas highlighting the menace of manufacturing and sale Chinese manjha for kite flying in Delhi.

The court took note of the status reports filed by the Delhi Police and said that continuous monitoring is being carried out in wholesale and retail markets along with Shop Owners’ Associations to ensure that the sale of Chinese manjha is curbed to the maximum extent possible.

The court also noted that several cases are being registered by the Delhi Police against the the defaulters.

“The main issue which would now be outstanding would be relating to whether any more compensation than what prescribed Delhi Victims Compensation Scheme, 2018 can be granted and if so, in what manner,” the court said.

As the Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA) submitted its report stating that victims of Chinese manjha would be covered by the Delhi Victims Compensation Scheme, 2018, Justice Singh said that the scheme does provide for maximum amounts of compensation that can be paid.

While releasing the matter from the part-heard category, the court said:

“Needless to add, the Delhi Police shall continue its continuous monitoring and regular registering of cases so that injuries/deaths due to Chinese Manjha can be avoided to the maximum possible extent.”

The matter will now be heard by the roster bench on November 01.

Earlier, the court had directed the Delhi Police to continue taking steps to restrain the sale of Chinese manjha in Delhi during the Independence day season.

The petitions have been filed by kin of those who lost their family members after being injured due to use of the banned material. They have sought compensation from Delhi Government and also strict compliance of advisories and directions.

In August last year, a division bench had disposed of a public interest litigation seeking a complete ban on flying of kites as well as manufacturing, sale and storage of objects used in it.

The court had directed the Delhi Government to ensure strict compliance of the orders passed by it as well as NGT banning sale of Chinese synthetic manjha.

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

Citation: 2023 LiveLaw (Del) 1008

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