In a significant crackdown on the illegal trade of hazardous kite-flying strings, the Crime Branch of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar city intercepted a large consignment of banned nylon manja and arrested two individuals on Monday. A third accused from another state has also been booked in the case.
Patrol Leads to Major Seizure
The police action unfolded during a routine patrol duty. Acting on a specific tip-off that prohibited nylon manja was being transported in a car, a team from the crime branch intercepted a vehicle in the Gandhinagar (Bansilalnagar) area, close to Vijay Kranti bungalow.
Upon inspection, officials noticed several boxes stacked in the car's rear section. When questioned, the vehicle's occupants confessed that the boxes contained the banned nylon kite string. The boxes were subsequently unloaded and opened in the presence of panch witnesses.
Details of the Illegal Consignment
The inspection revealed reels of the prohibited material labeled as ‘MonoFil Gold’. A total of six boxes were recovered, with each box containing 48 reels of the deadly string. This brought the total seizure to 288 reels of nylon manja.
Police estimated the value of the confiscated nylon manja alone at Rs 3.45 lakh. Additionally, the authorities seized the vehicle used for transportation and two mobile phones. The combined value of all seized articles is approximately Rs 10,90,600.
Accused Identified and Legal Action Initiated
The arrested accused have been identified as Rutik Dilip Lodhe (22), a resident of Padampura, and Ganesh Ramkisan Autade (22), from Gangapur taluka. A third accused, Naseer from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, has been booked in the case.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ratnakar Navale stated that the accused were fully aware of the ban orders but still engaged in procuring and supplying the dangerous material for monetary gain. "Such material poses a grave threat to the lives of citizens, especially two-wheeler riders, besides birds and animals. Despite repeated bans and awareness campaigns, offenders continue to violate the law," Navale emphasized.
Crime Branch Inspector Gajanan Kalyankar noted that the manja was deliberately procured for supply to kite flyers during the ongoing festive season surrounding Makar Sankranti. "Strict action is being taken against those involved in the illegal trade and supply chain," he affirmed.
The police clarified that the nylon manja is banned under prohibitory orders issued by the Police Commissioner in December, consistent with orders enforced in previous years during the Makar Sankranti period.
A formal case has been registered under sections 110, 223, and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with sections 4, 5, and 15 of the Environment Protection Act. Further investigation into the supply network is currently underway.
