New Delhi: In a significant crackdown on the sale of banned synthetic kite string, Delhi Police have busted an illegal godown storing Chinese manjha and arrested two individuals for allegedly selling the dangerous item. A total of 2,040 rolls of manjha were seized from the godown located in southwest Delhi’s Uttam Nagar area.
Raids and Seizures
Acting on a tip-off regarding the illegal storage of manjha, police conducted a raid on a ground-floor premises. “Thirty-four cartons, each containing 60 rolls, were found and seized,” said DCP (crime) Sanjeev Kumar Yadav. The owner of the premises was identified as Shanky Singhal, a 36-year-old resident of Uttam Nagar.
Interrogation and Arrests
During questioning, Singhal confessed that to earn profits during the Independence Day season, he had illegally procured the strings through social media from a local kite trader, Manmohan (52). Manmohan further admitted to managing his family’s wholesale kite business after his father’s death. Both individuals have been arrested by the police.
Prior Criminal Records
Investigations revealed that both accused are involved in the seasonal trade of strings and have prior criminal involvements. Singhal has a previous case registered in 2018 under the POCSO Act, along with charges of criminal intimidation and outraging a woman’s modesty at Uttam Nagar police station. Manmohan has a prior case from 2023 for disobedience to an order duly promulgated by a public servant, registered at Bindapur police station.
Dangers of Chinese Manjha
Chinese manjha is banned for sale in the city due to its dangerous nature. When it comes into contact with skin, it can cause severe cuts and injuries to both birds and humans. Earlier this month, a tragic incident occurred in northeast Delhi’s Usmanpur where a five-year-old boy died after his throat was slit by the banned Chinese manjha while riding a motorcycle with his family.
