The Indore Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court on Monday directed the State government to strictly enforce the ban on Chinese manja, warning that guardians may be held legally liable if minors are found flying kites using the prohibited string.

A Bench comprising Justices Vijay Kumar Shukla and Alok Awasthi also ordered wide public awareness, stating that the sale or use of Chinese manja could attract prosecution under Section 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for causing death by negligence.

The court took suo motu cognisance of deaths and accidents caused by the banned kite string on December 11, 2025.

During the hearing, the State government informed the court that steps had already been taken to curb the sale of Chinese manja and that several preventive measures were being implemented to avoid accidents linked to its use. It further submitted that awareness campaigns would be carried out through print and electronic media to discourage the sale and use of the dangerous string.

Issuing specific directions, the High Court observed that anyone found selling or using Chinese manja could be prosecuted under Section 106(1) of the BNS, which corresponds to Section 304-A of the Indian Penal Code.

The Bench further clarified that if a minor is found using the banned nylon thread, his or her guardian may also be held responsible.

Indore District Magistrate Shivam Verma assured the court that necessary orders would be issued at the earliest in compliance with its directions and would be immediately circulated to neighbouring districts.

Officials informed the court that in the past one and a half months, a 16-year-old boy and a 45-year-old man had died in separate incidents in Indore after their throats were allegedly slit by Chinese manja.

Popularly known as Chinese manja, the sharp kite string remains banned by the administration, though it continues to be used by kite flyers to cut rivals’ kites.