Nagpur: In a major crackdown on the illegal sale of banned nylon manja ahead of the kite-flying season, the Crime Branch’s Anti-Vehicle Theft Squad and Wathoda police have seized 540 spools of prohibited Mono Kite and Mono Kite Gold nylon manja worth Rs 19.30 lakh in two separate actions. The operation has led to the arrest of two accused and exposed a suspected supply chain involving transportation and storage of the banned kite strings.
The first seizure took place during the intervening night of October 26 and 27, when the Crime Branch’s Anti-Vehicle Theft Squad was patrolling on the basis of specific intelligence about the transportation of prohibited nylon manja.
Acting on the tip-off, the team intercepted an autorickshaw bearing registration number MH-49-CF-2274 in front of Janta Garage on Symbiosis College Road at Bidgaon, within the jurisdiction of Wathoda police station.
The driver was identified as Sajid Ahmed Shakeel Ahmed, 28, a resident of Ansar Nagar near Chand Hotel, Dobinagar, in the Tehsil area of Nagpur. During a search of the sacks carried in the autorickshaw, police allegedly found 360 spools of banned Monokite and Monokite Gold nylon manja.
The police seized the prohibited stock, the autorickshaw and a mobile phone, with the total value of the confiscated property assessed at ₹13.90 lakh.
During questioning, Sajid allegedly disclosed that he had brought the consignment from Majri to the Symbiosis College area in Wathoda with the assistance of an alleged accomplice, Badre Alam, and another person identified through a mobile phone number. A case was subsequently registered against the three accused at Wathoda police station, and efforts were launched to trace the absconding suspects.
Godown raid leads to second major seizure
Continuing the investigation, Wathoda police conducted a technical probe and acted on specific intelligence to track down Badre Alam Mukhtar Ahmed, 36, a resident of Mominpura, Nagpur.
Police laid a trap and apprehended him on October 28. During a subsequent search of his godown within the jurisdiction of Yashodhara Nagar police station, officers allegedly recovered another 180 spools of banned Mono Kite and Mono Kite Gold nylon manja.
The stock recovered from the godown was valued at Rs 5.40 lakh. The accused was arrested, and further investigation is underway to establish the extent of his alleged involvement in the illegal trade.
Probe focuses on supply chain
With the two seizures together accounting for 540 spools worth Rs 19.30 lakh, investigators are now working to establish the source of the prohibited material, identify other suppliers and determine the intended distribution network.
Police are also examining the alleged transportation of the consignment from Majri to Nagpur and the role of the persons named during questioning. Further action will depend on the findings of the ongoing investigation.
The crackdown highlights the police effort to prevent the circulation of banned nylon manja, which poses a serious risk to people, birds and two-wheeler riders because of its sharp, synthetic strands.
