Delhi HC refuses to ban kite flying in national capital

The Delhi High Court Friday refused to ban kite flying in the national capital saying it is a cultural activity and directed the government and police to ensure compliance with the National Green Tribunals NGT order banning sale of Chinese synthetic manjha used for kite flyingA bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad noted that the NGT has already imposed a complete ban on Chinese synthetic manjha and even the Delhi Police has been issuing notifications in this regard and also taking action against violatorsThe high court was hearing public interest litigation PIL seeking a complete ban on flying sale purchase storage and transportation of kites as many people and birds are killed or injured due to accidents caused by glasscoated stringsThe bench which disposed of the petition said kite flying cannot be banned as it is a cultural activity and can be associated with religious activity and directed the state government and the Delhi Police to ensure strict compliance with the NGT order banning use and sale of Chinese manjhaDuring the hearing Delhi government standing counsel criminal Sanjay Lao representing the Delhi Police said there is already a notification by the Delhi government that Chinese manjha is banned and since 2017 255 persons have been booked under different sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Environment Protection Act for the violationHe said even today the Deputy Commissioner of Police is going to issue another order that the use of Chinese manjha is banned in Delhi Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma and standing counsel Anil Soni representing the Central government said the prayer for banning kite flying cannot be allowed as cultural and religious values are attached to it and it is the use of Chinese manjha which needs to be bannedThis is a festival in India It is also connected to religion You need to be careful while making a prayer the law officer submittedPetitioner Sanser Pal Singh contended that a complete ban on kite flying its making sale and purchase and storage is the only solution as it is difficult to catch the culprit or fix the responsibility when an accident occurs due to kite stringEvery kite flyer tries to source and use string thread that is glass coated or metallic popularly known as Chinese manjha which is more dangerous and life and safety of not only humans but also of birds is endangered due to this the plea saidThe petitioner said he had met with an accident in 2006 when a kite string got entangled around his body and in an attempt to save his neck he got his finger cutAccording to the data collected by the petitioner several persons and birds have lost their lives and got injured due to kite stringsThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever