Nagpur: In a stinging indictment of civic apathy and policing failure, the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court came down heavily on the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and the police for allowing the unchecked and blatant use of banned nylon manja across the city during Makar Sankranti, despite clear and stringent judicial orders.
The court made it clear that its directions were openly flouted on the ground, while enforcement agencies appeared to have looked the other way. “Nylon manja was visible everywhere. Were the authorities deliberately keeping their eyes shut?” the Bench asked, laying bare the alarming gap between court orders and ground-level enforcement.
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22 Jan 2026
The sharp observations were made by a Division Bench of Justice Anil Kilor and Justice Raj Wakode while hearing a suo motu public interest litigation initiated to curb the deadly menace of nylon manja. The court expressed shock and displeasure after being informed by the Government Pleader that only two cases were registered citywide against violators.
Calling the response grossly inadequate and shocking, the Bench remarked that such a token action reflected sheer indifference and showed that the court’s directions were not being taken seriously by those entrusted with public safety.
The court went a step further, questioning whether any accountability had been fixed at all. It asked whether action was taken against police officers in jurisdictions where nylon manja-related incidents occurred, making it clear that responsibility cannot be evaded. The Bench directed both the Police Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police to file affidavits explaining what disciplinary measures, if any, were initiated against erring officers.
In a clear warning shot, the court ordered the Municipal Commissioner and Police Commissioner to submit truthful and detailed affidavits by January 30, outlining concrete steps taken to curb the menace. The Bench cautioned that any false or misleading information would invite strict action against responsible officers, signalling that excuses and paper compliance will no longer be tolerated.
The court reminded authorities of its earlier order dated January 12, which imposed heavy penalties, a fine of Rs 25,000 on individuals using nylon manja and Rs 2.5 lakh on vendors selling it, per violation. A dedicated bank account was also ordered to be opened for depositing the penalty amounts, underscoring the seriousness with which the court views the issue.
Highlighting the human cost of official inaction, the Bench also directed amicus curiae Advocate Nishchay Jadhav to place on record district-wise data of injuries and deaths caused by nylon manja, along with precise locations of such incidents.
In a move aimed squarely at fixing responsibility, the High Court further ordered that the names of concerned police officers, including Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) from affected zones, be put on record. The amicus was asked to share the affidavit with the Assistant Government Pleader in advance, leaving no room for bureaucratic evasions.
The message from the court was unmistakable: public safety cannot be sacrificed at the altar of administrative lethargy, and officials who fail to act will be held personally accountable.
