The Punjab & Haryana High Court has disposed of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking measures to curb the use of the banned Chinese Dor (kite string), observing that the Punjab government has already taken substantial steps, including imposing penalties and offering monetary rewards for informers.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sumeet Goel noted that the authorities had prescribed penalties and announced a reward of up to ₹25,000 for those who report injuries or fatalities caused by the use of Chinese Dor.

The Court observed that this was the second such PIL and recalled that the first petition had been disposed of with a direction to the authorities to consider the petitioner’s grievance and pass a reasoned order.

Following this, the Punjab Pollution Control Board took several steps, including:

• Requesting the Director General of Police to intensify checking at inter-state borders to prevent the illegal entry of Chinese Dor into Punjab.

• Advising online platforms and businesses to strictly comply with the government’s ban on the sale, purchase, storage, and manufacture of Chinese Dor.

The Court also took note of a public notice stating that any injury caused by Chinese Dor would attract a fine ranging from ₹10,000 to ₹15 lakh. Additionally, a reward of ₹25,000 would be granted to informers who report such incidents.

In light of these developments, the Court found no further direction necessary and disposed of the petition.

Case Title: Kanwar Pahul Singh v. State of Punjab and Others
Appearances: Petitioner in person – Mr. Kanwar Pahul Singh; Mr. Saurav Verma, Additional Advocate General, Punjab.