Bombay High Court: In a Suo moto Public Interest Litigation (PIL) regarding the menace of nylon manja, the Division Bench of Anil S. Kilor and Raj D. Wakode, JJ., held that despite repeated orders since 2021, rampant use of nylon manja continues, resulting in grievous injuries and deaths. The Court emphasised that in absence of a statute or regulation framed by the State Government, deterrent punishment by way of fine was necessary. Accordingly, fines of Rs 25,000 on individuals (recoverable from parents in case of minors) and Rs 2,50,000 on vendors were imposed, with the collected amounts to be deposited in a “Public Welfare Account” for treatment of victims.
Background:
The matter was initiated Suo moto in 2021 after newspaper reports highlighted the dangers of nylon manja. Despite repeated directions, the menace persisted, with newspapers continuously reporting incidents of loss of lives and injuries. On 24-12-2025, the Court proposed fines of Rs 50,000 on individuals and Rs 2,50,000 on vendors and directed the Collectors to publish public notices in leading newspapers to invite suggestions from the public.
Wide publicity was given, and suggestions were received includingsuggestions for reducing the fine, others for increasing it, and some even proposed imprisonment to make the punishment more deterrent. Importantly, no suggestions opposing the imposition of fine were received.
Counsels submitted that deterrent measures were necessary to ensure compliance, and the Court noted that enforcement had been inadequate. The respondents assured compliance but failed to demonstrate any sustained or effective enforcement mechanism.
Analysis and Decision:
The Court emphasised that the purpose of giving notice to the public at large was achieved by wide publicity in newspapers and public notices. It was observed that since no suggestions opposing the fine were received, deterrent punishment was necessary. The Court opined that parents are to be held liable to pay the fine in case of minors, as it is their duty to make the child understandthe consequences of his/her action and to make them aware what is good and what is bad for him/her and others. The Court highlighted that it is expected that the parents shall make aware their children about the serious consequences of use of nylon manja.
Accordingly, the Court ordered that any individual found flying a kite with nylon manja shall be liable to pay a fine of Rs 25,000, recoverable from parents in case of minors, and vendors found stocking nylon manja shall be liable to pay a fine of Rs 2,50,000. The Court made it clear that the fine is recoverable for each default and shall be deposited in a “Public Welfare Account” managed by a Committee consisting of the Collector, Municipal Commissioner, and Registrar (Administration). The Court further directed that the collected amount shall be utilised for treatment of victims of nylon manja.
The Court further directed that police and municipal officers shall enforce the order, with fines recoverable as land revenue if unpaid within fifteen days. The Court also directed that cyber cells of each district shall create WhatsApp groups to receive complaints, and police officers shall be held accountable for untoward incidents. The Court directed that public notices informing the fines shall be published in leading newspapers, and ignorance of such notices shall not be a ground to dispute payment.
Finally, the Court directed the authorities to submit affidavits regarding action taken and placed the matter for further hearing on 20-01-2026.
[Court on its own motion v. State of Maharashtra, 2026 SCC OnLine Bom 113, decided on 12-01-2026]
Advocates who appeared in this case:
For the Court: N. Jadhav, Advocate
For the Respondents: S. M. Ukey, Add. G.P., J. B. Kasat, Advocate, M. I. Dhatrak, Advocate, S. A. Sahu, Advocate, S. S. Sanyal, Advocate, C. B. Dharmadhikari, Advocate