Calcutta HC Upholds State Ban On Chinese 'Manjha', Mandating Same To Be Strictly Adhered To [Read Order]

After the Central government blocking 59 Chinese mobile applications, the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday upheld the state's ban on the use of Chinese 'manjha' (a type of nylon thread coated with powdered glass used for flying kites), directing that the same be strictly adhered to by the administration and given full effect.

The Division Bench headed by Chief Justice Thottathil B. Radhakrishnan was hearing a PIL with the grievance that kites are being flown with Chinese manjha/Nylon manjha etc. which pose threat to the pedestrians and motorcyclists particularly who use flyovers for commuting.

The bench, also comprising Justice Arijit Bannerjee, had called for reports from the Commissioner of Police, Kolkata and also from the Commissioner, Department of Environment, Government of West Bengal, on perusal of which the Court noted that pursuant to an order passed by the National Green Tribunal, a complete ban has been imposed on the use of Chinese/Nylon/Plastic manjha or thread for kite flying.

"To this end, a notification dated 20th March, 2020 bearing No. EN/659/3C-05/2020 has been issued by the Department of Environment, Government of West Bengal invoking Section 5 of the Environment Protection Act, 1986 and in compliance with the directions of the National Green Tribunal", observed the bench, adding that accordingly, the grievance/apprehension of the writ petitioner stands redressed.

Disposing off the plea, the Court directed that the notification issued by the State Government shall be strictly adhered to by the administration and will be given full effect.

WP 18926 (W) of 2019 With CAN 3226 of 2020  
Karunamoyee Samanta -Vs.-The State of West Bengal & Ors.

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