The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court has taken a tough stand against the continued use of nylon or synthetic kite thread, commonly known as nylon manja, calling it a serious threat to public safety. Acting on its own motion, the court on January 12, 2026, imposed steep fines on both individuals flying kites with nylon manja and vendors selling it, after noting that years of warnings and orders had failed to stop the practice
The bench of Justice Anil S. Kilor and Justice Raj D. Wakode made it clear that the court could no longer remain a silent spectator while lives are lost every year due to this hazardous thread.
Background of the Case
The suo motu public interest litigation was initiated in 2021 after repeated newspaper reports highlighted deaths and serious injuries caused by nylon manja. The thread, often coated with glass or chemicals, has been responsible for slashing throats of pedestrians, injuring motorcyclists, and killing birds.
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Over the last four years, the court passed several directions to curb the menace. Yet, during the hearing, the judges noted that the use of nylon manja continued “rampantly,” largely because there was no specific law or regulation framed by the State government to deal with it effectively.
Court Observations
The bench observed that every year the dangers of nylon manja are widely reported, but public behavior has not changed. This, the court said, forced it to adopt a “different mode” by introducing deterrent financial penalties.
“The consequences of use of such manja are being highlighted every year. Despite the same, there is no change in the situation,” the bench noted, while explaining why stronger steps were necessary.
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In December 2025, the court had proposed fines of ₹50,000 for individuals and ₹2.5 lakh for vendors. Public notices were published across Maharashtra inviting suggestions from citizens. Interestingly, while some suggestions sought either lower or even harsher punishment, none opposed the idea of imposing fines.
Parents Held Responsible for Minors
One of the significant aspects of the order is the court’s view on parental responsibility. The bench held that if a minor is caught flying a kite with nylon manja, the fine would be recovered from the parents.
According to the judges, it is the duty of parents to teach children responsible behavior and make them aware of the serious consequences of using such dangerous material.
“This would help discourage inappropriate behaviour,” the court observed, stressing that awareness must begin at home.
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Decision
After considering public feedback, the court finalized the penalties with slight modification. It ordered:
- A fine of ₹25,000 on any individual found flying a kite using nylon manja.
- In the case of a minor, the amount will be recovered from the parents.
- A fine of ₹2,50,000 on any vendor found stocking or selling nylon manja.
- The fines will apply for each default, not as a one-time penalty.
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The court further directed that all recovered amounts be deposited into a specially created “Public Welfare Account”, to be managed by a committee comprising the Nagpur Collector, the Municipal Commissioner, and the Registrar of the High Court at Nagpur. The money will be used to fund medical treatment for victims injured by nylon manja.
To strengthen enforcement, the court ordered district cyber cells to create WhatsApp groups for receiving complaints about nylon manja use. Police officers may face action if any incident occurs due to negligence in implementing the court’s directions.
Finally, the court directed police authorities to publish public notices on January 13 and 14, 2026, clearly informing citizens about the fines. It also clarified that ignorance of these notices will not be accepted as an excuse for non-payment.
Case Title: Court on its Own Motion vs State of Maharashtra and Others
Case Number: Suo Motu Public Interest Litigation No. 1 of 2021
