Residents of Punjab now face the prospect of up to seven years in prison and fines reaching five million rupees under a stringent new law governing kite flying, which replaces a two-decade-old ordinance with significantly harsher penalties for violations ahead of the Basant season.
According to an analysis by the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN), the Punjab Regulation of Kite Flying Act, 2025, which was passed by the Provincial Assembly on December 24, 2025, represents the latest evolution in the legal framework regulating the cultural activity since 2001. The new legislation repeals the Punjab Prohibition of Kite Flying Ordinance, 2001, which had been in force with various amendments.
The 2025 Act maintains the long-standing regulatory approach of treating kite flying as a prohibited activity by default. However, it establishes a formal structure for granting conditional permission. The statute empowers Deputy Commissioners, with prior approval from the provincial government, to issue notifications allowing the activity, along with the manufacturing and sale of permissible materials, for specific periods and in designated areas.
Even within authorised zones, the legislation explicitly upholds a strict ban on hazardous materials, including metallic wire, nylon cord (tandi), sharp maanjha, and any other substance deemed injurious or dangerous.
A significant new provision introduces a mandatory registration system for manufacturers, traders, and sellers of permissible kite-flying equipment. These businesses must register with their local Deputy Commissioner and are restricted to dealing only in prescribed materials.
The penalties for contravening the new law have been substantially increased. Unauthorised kite flying can lead to imprisonment for a term of three to five years, a fine of up to two million rupees, or both. The sanctions are even more severe for those involved in the supply chain of illicit materials; manufacturing, transporting, storing, or selling kites or prohibited string can attract a prison sentence of five to seven years or a fine of up to five million rupees. All offences under the statute are classified as cognizable and non-bailable.
The legislation also introduces specific provisions for juvenile offenders. If a child is found in violation of the law, the case will be managed under the Juvenile Justice System Act, 2018. Fines ranging from fifty thousand to one hundred thousand rupees may be imposed, and if a child is unable to pay, the amount is recoverable from their parents or guardian as arrears of land revenue.
This new Act deviates from the preceding 2001 ordinance in two primary areas: the administration of permissions and the severity of punishments. While the previous framework allowed District Nazims to grant a seasonal exemption for up to fifteen days during spring, the 2025 statute provides district administrations, led by Deputy Commissioners, with broader discretion to determine the time and place for the activity.
The contrast in penalties is stark. The 2001 ordinance stipulated a maximum punishment of three years imprisonment and a fine of up to 100,000 rupees. The 2025 Act not only raises the financial and custodial consequences but also introduces minimum terms of imprisonment for the first time.
While both statutes share the stated goal of protecting human life and property, FAFEN’s review concludes that the 2025 Act consolidates and significantly expands administrative control over when and how the popular cultural pastime may be conducted.