Disclaimer: This has been reported after the availability of the order of the Court and not on media reports so as to give an accurate report to our readers.
Madhya Pradesh High Court: In a suo motu PIL registered for the illegal sale and use of Chinese Nylon Thread (Manjha), the Division Bench of Vijay Kumar Shukla and Alok Awasthi, JJ., directed that the State shall also publish in the media that the guardian may be held liable for any minor found using Chinese manjha.
Background
On 08-12-2025, the Court took suo motu cognizance of the illegal sale and use of Chinese Nylon Thread, which was causing injuries and casualties.
During the pendency of the case, on 11-12-2025, the Court noted that Chinese Nylon Thread was still being illegally used in Indore and adjoining districts. As an interim measure, the Court directed the Commissioner of Police, Collector of Indore, as well as Collector and Superintendent of Police of adjoining districts of Ujjain, Dewas, Dhar, Khargone, Badwani, Alirajpur, Jhabua, Mandsaur, Neemuch, Ratlam, Shajapur, and Rajgarh, to ensure compliance with the following:
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Strict implementation of the ban on the manufacture, sale, storage, and use of Chinese Nylon Thread
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The appropriate authority should conduct and monitor to ensure that the thread is not circulated in the market.
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The State authorities may be directed to undertake social awareness campaigns through print and social media to not use the Chinese Nylon Thread.
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The public at large should be made aware of the legal/penal consequences of the use and sale of the Chinese Nylon Thread.
The Amicus Curiae contended that due to the festival of Makar Sankranti on 14-01-2026, on which the kite flying shall be largely celebrated, and there was a possibility of use of the said Chinese Nylon Thread. He requested the issuance of further directions to all Districts concerned to submit a report on precautionary immediate measures and a plan of action, including the spreading of awareness to the public through an extensive social / print media campaign.
The State contended that they had already taken the steps to prevent the sale of the said Chinese Nylon Thread and were taking several preventive measures to avoid the said incident.
Analysis
Noting that a device to prevent the accidents was being used by the Superintendent of Police, Ujjain, the Court directed that the same shall be circulated to the Commissionerate, Indore, as well as to the adjoining Districts of Ujjain, Dewas, Dhar, Khargone, Badwani, Alirajpur, Jhabua, Mandsaur, Neemuch, Ratlam, Shajapur, and Rajgarh.
Regarding the submission that the due publicity to prevent the sale and use of that thread shall be given by print and electronic media, the Court directed that the State shall also publish that if anybody was found selling or using the said thread, they may also be prosecuted under Section 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. The Court added that, “If any minor is found using the Chinese Nylon Thread, then his guardian may also be made responsible.”
The Collector of Indore submitted that he will immediately pass necessary orders in this regard, which shall be immediately circulated to all the adjoining Districts.
The matter was listed on 16-01-2026.
[Suo Moto PIL v. State of MP, WP No. 48092 of 2025, decided on 12-01-2026]
Advocates who appeared in this case:
For the petitioner: Senior counsel (Amicus Curiae) Vivek Sharan and Advocate Shashank Sharma
For the respondent: AAG Rahul Sethi, Deputy Advocate General Sudeep Bhargava, Advocates Dharmendra Gurjar, and Lakhan Singh Panwar