Delhi HC dismisses PIL seeking fixing of dates, timings for kite flying

New Delhi : The Delhi High Court on Friday dismissed a PIL seeking direction to the AAP government to fix the dates and timings for kite flying, observing that there cannot be any hard and fast rule for enjoyment of a festival.

A bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice C Hari Shankar said there was no reason to entertain the petition. The bench warned that this was a case fit for imposing cost, but it refrained from doing so.

"How to enjoy a festival is on the wisdom of an individual. There cannot be any hard and fast rule for enjoyment of a festival," it said. The court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Delhi resident Mohit Ghalyan, an engineer, who suffered an injury to his neck due to Chinese 'manja' (glass coated string used in kite flying) on August 15, 2012.

Terming "absurd" the submission of the petitioner's counsel, Rishi Pal Singh, that kite flying should only be allowed on occasions of Independence Day and Raksha Bandhan, the court said it could not give such a direction.

It added that the court was concerned with violation of law and if anyone sustains injuries due to 'manja' or a kite, the victim can come to the court to seek appropriate relief. The petition had sought direction to the Delhi government and the Delhi Police commissioner for publication of guidelines for kite flying and banning the use of Chinese string.