HC expresses strong displeasure over delay in compensation for nylon manja victims

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

The Aurangabad Bench of the Bombay High Court has expressed strong displeasure over the state government’s failure to disburse compensation to 11 victims injured due to nylon manja, despite earlier orders dated January 9 and March 18, 2026.

The court directed that compensation must be paid by May 4, 2026, warning that failure to comply would make concerned district collectors personally liable to pay 1,000 per day per victim from their own pockets.

A division bench of Justice Vibha Kankanwadi and Justice Neeraj P. Dhote observed that government action, including a special task force, was inadequate and that enforcement against illegal nylon manja remains ineffective. The next hearing is scheduled for July 6, 2026. The court stressed that FIRs alone are not sufficient and that conviction rates must improve to ensure effective enforcement. It also noted lack of coordination among agencies despite nylon manja being widely distributed through road transport and sold via e-commerce platforms. The Environment Department informed the court that a revised policy draft has been prepared, focusing on responsibility fixation, compensation mechanism, and stronger enforcement. The court directed that the final policy be submitted by June 30, 2026. Amicus curiae advocate Satyajeet Bora assisted the court, while the state was represented by chief government pleader Amarjeetsingh Girase and the Centre by deputy solicitor general Ajay Talhar, along with other counsels representing respondents.