Parents Legally Responsible if Minors Use Chinese Manja, High Court Directs; Sellers Could Face Murder Charges

Indore: The Indore Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court has issued a landmark directive regarding the use of Chinese manja (sharp nylon kite string). The court stated that if a minor is found using such hazardous kite strings, their parents can be held legally responsible. Additionally, sellers of Chinese manja could face action under charges related to death caused by negligent acts.

The court took suo motu cognizance of the matter on December 11 last year, following multiple accidents and fatalities linked to Chinese manja. During the hearing on Monday, the bench directed the state government to strictly enforce the ban on these dangerous kite strings.

State Government’s Measures
During the proceedings, Justices Vijay Kumar Shukla and Alok Awasthi were informed by the state government that several steps had already been taken to prevent the sale of Chinese manja and protect the public from related accidents. Authorities stated that awareness campaigns are being run through print and electronic media to inform people about the hazards of these kite strings and the legal consequences of their use.

The court specifically instructed that the campaign should highlight that anyone found selling or using Chinese manja could be prosecuted under Section 106(1) of the Indian Penal Code, which deals with death caused by negligent acts.

Parental Responsibility
The bench further emphasized that if a minor is found using Chinese manja, their guardians can also be held accountable under the law. During the hearing, Indore District Collector Shivam Verma assured the court that administrative orders in line with these directives would be issued promptly and communicated to all neighboring districts.

Fatal Consequences of Chinese Manja
Officials reported that in Indore alone, over the past one and a half months, two deaths—of a 16-year-old boy and a 45-year-old man—have been linked to Chinese manja, which can cause fatal injuries due to its razor-sharp nylon composition. Despite the ban, some kite enthusiasts continue to use it to cut competitors’ kites, putting lives at risk.