The Delhi Police Crime Branch has been ordered by the Delhi High Court for investigation in the case pertaining to the manufacture, sale and storage of the Chinese manjha (kite-flying threads laced with glass) in markets of Delhi.
The bench of Justice Prathiba M Singh has asked the Crime Branch to investigate the importers, traders and shopkeepers who have been involved in its dealings and then after submitting a detailed report with the court.
The Bench ordered that it needs to have all details of the markets where the thread is being sold along with the information that they had been alerted against it .
The order by the justice also needs to have the status of FIR registered against the shopkeepers who have been involved with the proceedings.
It has also asked categorically to mention about the action taken against the officials who are duty bound to stop the sale of Chinese manjha.
While hearing a batch of petitions filed by the families of those who died or were injured in accidents caused by these threads, the justice gave this order.
The Court was informed that most of the accidents that took place were of the people who were riding motorcycles when the thread slit their throats.
Court was also informed how the manjha was detrimental to birds and animals as well who could not fly or were hurt badly due to the sharp thread cutting their life line.
The Court after considering the matter said that kite-flying is done mostly by children and young adults, it is the duty of the authorities to ensure that these dangerous threads are not available in the market.
It was noted that the even after being cautioned and informed by the orders of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and various authorities regarding the complete ban on the manjha, deaths are still being caused in the national capital.
The Court said there needs to be a stricter implementation which should be carried out by the officials, including the police authorities, who would have to ensure that the FIRs are properly investigated.
The court has asked to issue notice against manufacturer, importer and the shopkeepers who are involved.
It has directed the Delhi Police to file a report detailing the position of the FIRs registered for the use of these threads and whether charge sheets have been filed in the cases.
Court had instructed that the District Magistrates (DMs), Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) and local police officials should conduct periodic inspections to ensure that such material is not sold in markets along with creating awareness camps to make consumer know the right from wrong products.
A further affidavit shall be filed in respect of the prayer for compensation to the victims in as much as the deaths of innocent persons caused due to Chinese manjha could also be considered as a dereliction of duty.
The Bench has asked the Delhi Police to examine the feasibility of issuing an advisory for installation of plastic guards on motorcycles to render protection to riders.
The matter will now be considered on April 12.