Ban with no strings attached? HC pulls up govt over manjha deaths

Raipur: Pulling up the govt over its failure to stop the circulation of Chinese manja (synthetic thread) in the state, the Chhattisgarh high court directed that strict implementation of the already existing ban must be ‘effectively' imposed on manufacture, sale, storage, and use of manjha across Chhattisgarh. The directive came from a division bench on Nov 3 after the court registered a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) following the death of a seven-year-old child whose throat was cut by the hazardous kite string in Jan 2025.The bench, comprising Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Bibhu Datta Guru, noted the gravity of the issue. Justice Guru, authoring the order, stated that the court deemed it appropriate to direct state authorities to take all necessary and effective measures to ensure that such unfortunate incidents do not recur in the state.The state govt must ensure the strict implementation of the existing ban on the manufacture, sale, storage, and use of Chinese synthetic manja throughout the state. Regular checks and monitoring must be conducted by concerned authorities to prevent the thread's circulation in the market, the court ordered the govt.Awareness campaigns should be undertaken through print, electronic, and social media to sensitise the general public regarding the dangers associated with the use of the hazardous material. The state is expected to remain vigilant and adopt all preventive steps to safeguard the lives and safety of its citizens, the court said. The suo motu PIL was registered based on Jan 20, 2025.The court previously called for affidavits from the chief secretary, govt of Chhattisgarh. Directions were also issued to provide compensation to the victims or their families in cases of injury or death caused by the use of Chinese manja.Accordingly, the state initially granted compensation of Rs 50,000, which was later enhanced to Rs 2,50,000 in addition to the amount already paid. The court was further informed that action was taken against 53 shopkeepers found selling Chinese manja in the state, of whom 48 faced prosecution under Section 15 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, which prescribes penalties for non-compliance with the Act's provisions. The municipal bodies were also reported to have confiscated the Chinese manja seized from these shops.Deputy advocate general Shashank Thakur, representing the state, submitted that no further incidents occurred in Chhattisgarh since the case was registered and that the administration was closely monitoring the situation. The court observed that the purpose of initiating the suo motu proceeding was substantially achieved pursuant to the directions issued. Consequently, the writ petition (PIL) stands disposed of.