Three Held in West Delhi With 1,398 Reels of Banned Chinese Manjha

Delhi Police's Crime Branch apprehended three men and recovered 1,398 reels of banned Chinese manjha from a car near Khayala in west Delhi late Tuesday night. The accused—identified as Rajesh, Asad, and Sohail—were allegedly transporting the prohibited kite string for clandestine sale in violation of environmental bans.

The action followed specific secret information received by the police on August 8. Officers were alerted that Rajesh, a resident of Nangloi, would arrive near Khayala alongside his associates to deliver a substantial quantity of the prohibited plastic manjha.

In response, the Crime Branch formed a team and set a trap near Khayala. At approximately 2 a.m., team members spotted a silver-coloured car driving from the Khayala-Paschim Vihar drain side toward Raghubir Nagar. Officers intercepted the vehicle and detained the three occupants.

Upon searching the car, police found numerous plastic bags and cardboard boxes filled with the contraband string. A total of 1,398 reels were seized, and the vehicle used for transportation was impounded by the authorities.

During interrogation, the accused reportedly disclosed that they were transporting the reels for commercial distribution. The transport, storage, manufacture, and sale of Chinese or plastic manjha are strictly prohibited under notifications issued by the Delhi government's Environment Department.

Police revealed that Rajesh and Asad work as labourers, while Sohail has completed ITI training and is also employed in labour work. A case regarding the seizure has been registered at the Crime Branch police station located in Pushp Vihar.

Investigators are currently probing the broader supply chain, working to identify the original source of the banned string, its prospective buyers, and any additional individuals involved in its illicit manufacture, storage, or sale.