Symbolic picture.
– Photo: ANI
Expansion
The High Court has directed the Delhi government to formulate a policy to compensate people who lose their lives and limbs due to accidents involving banned Chinese boats in the national capital. Justice Subramaniam Prasad has directed the government to prepare a policy and file it in the court within a period of eight weeks from today.
The court said that although judicial orders have been passed under Section 144 of CrPC, it is sad to know that year after year many people are losing their lives and limbs due to Chinese manjha. Justice Prasad directed Delhi Police to file the latest status report of the action taken against those making and selling Chinese Manjha from the year 2017 to 2024. The case will now be heard on August 23.
The court is hearing several petitions highlighting the danger of manufacturing and selling of Chinese Manjha for kite flying in Delhi. Earlier, Delhi Police had said in its situation report that constant surveillance is being done in the wholesale and retail markets along with shop owners’ associations to curb the sale of Chinese Manjha as much as possible.
The court had directed Delhi Police to take steps to ban the sale of Chinese Manjha in Delhi during Independence Day. The petitions have been filed by the next of kin of people who have lost their family members after getting injured due to the use of banned materials. He has demanded compensation from the Delhi government as well as strict compliance with the advice and instructions.
In August 2022, a division bench had disposed of a PIL seeking a complete ban on kite flying as well as the manufacture, sale and storage of items used in it. The court had directed the Delhi government to ensure strict compliance with the orders passed by the NGT along with banning the sale of Chinese synthetic manja.
