Delhi Police bust Chinese manjha racket in Nabi Karim; 424 reels seized
Synopsis
Delhi Police's Central District Special Staff recovered 424 reels of banned Chinese manjha from a concealed stock in Nabi Karim — with the seized thread deceptively labelled 'for industrial use only'. The bust points to an organised supply chain, not a lone vendor, and comes as authorities intensify pre-festival enforcement of the synthetic thread ban.
Key Takeaways
Delhi Police seized 424 reels of banned Chinese manjha from Laxman Puri, Nabi Karim on 30 July 2026 .
Accused Wasim Raza, 24 , a resident of Nabi Karim, was arrested; he allegedly led police to a concealed stock of seven cartons .
Seized reels were labelled 'For Industrial Use Only' — a tactic reportedly used to evade detection.
345/2026 registered under Section 223(a) BNS and Sections 5 and 15 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 .
Police are investigating the supply chain and working to identify other members of the network.
The Special Staff of Delhi Police's Central District on 30 July 2026 dismantled a major illegal racket dealing in banned Chinese manjha, arresting one person and recovering 424 reels of the prohibited kite-flying thread from the Nabi Karim area of New Delhi. The operation followed specific intelligence inputs and is part of an ongoing crackdown on the sale and storage of the hazardous synthetic thread.
How the Operation Unfolded
Acting on intelligence received on 29 July 2026, a Special Staff team raided a premises at Laxman Puri, Nabi Karim. Officers initially apprehended Wasim Raza, 24, a resident of Laxman Puri Chowk, who was allegedly found carrying a blue plastic sack containing four packed chakris (reels) of banned Chinese manjha.
During sustained interrogation, Raza allegedly disclosed the location of a concealed stock. A subsequent search of the premises led to the unearthing of seven cartons holding a total of 424 packed reels. The recovered material bore labels reading 'All New, Mono Kite Fighter, Super Performing Champion – For Industrial Use Only' — a common tactic used to disguise the prohibited thread as industrial goods.
Legal Action Taken
Following the seizure, FIR No. 345/2026 dated 30 July 2026 was registered at Police Station Nabi Karim under Section 223(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 5 and 15 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The accused's previous criminal record is being verified, according to police.
Why Chinese Manjha Is Banned
Chinese manjha — a synthetic, nylon-based thread coated with glass or metal powder — has been linked to multiple fatal accidents and grievous injuries involving two-wheeler riders, pedestrians, birds, and animals across Indian cities. Courts and municipal authorities have repeatedly imposed bans on its manufacture, sale, and use, yet enforcement remains a persistent challenge, particularly in the weeks leading up to kite-flying festivals.
Notably, the labelling of seized reels as 'for industrial use only' points to a deliberate attempt to circumvent regulatory scrutiny — a pattern seen in previous crackdowns in Delhi and other states.
The Team Behind the Bust
The operation was led by Inspector Sandeep Yadav, In-Charge of Special Staff, under the overall supervision of Padam Singh Rana, ACP (Operations), Central District. The field team comprised ASI Parmod Meena, Head Constables Rajvir, Anuj, Mohit, Munesh and Vikas, and Constables Lokesh, Surajpal, and Nitin.
Investigation Continues
Police said efforts are underway to trace the supply chain, identify the source of procurement, and uncover other individuals involved in the network. The scale of the seizure — 424 reels across seven cartons — suggests an organised distribution operation rather than a solitary vendor, investigators indicated.
Point of View
Yet the thread keeps resurfacing, which suggests that demand-side deterrence and border-level interception remain inadequate. The real test of this operation is whether investigators successfully map the procurement chain rather than closing the case at the first arrest.
NationPress
30 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chinese manjha and why is it banned in India?
Chinese manjha is a synthetic kite-flying thread coated with glass or metal powder that can cut through skin, injure two-wheeler riders, and harm birds and animals. It has been banned across India under court orders and environmental regulations due to the fatal accidents it has caused.
How many reels of Chinese manjha were seized in the Delhi Police raid?
Delhi Police seized 424 packed reels (chakris) of banned Chinese manjha from a premises in Laxman Puri, Nabi Karim on 30 July 2026. The material was found concealed in seven cartons.
Who was arrested in the Nabi Karim manjha raid?
Wasim Raza, 24, a resident of Laxman Puri Chowk, Nabi Karim, was arrested. He was allegedly found carrying four reels of banned Chinese manjha and subsequently led police to the larger concealed stock.
What charges have been filed against the accused?
FIR No. 345/2026 was registered on 30 July 2026 at Police Station Nabi Karim under Section 223(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 5 and 15 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
What is the current status of the investigation?
Police are verifying the accused's criminal record and working to trace the supply chain, identify the procurement source, and uncover other members of the network involved in the storage and distribution of the banned thread.
