Arun Kumar Gupta v. The State Of Bihar

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA

Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.2337 of 2026 ====================================================== Arun Kumar Gupta S/o Umashankar Sah, R/o Village- Bhagwanpur, P.O. and P.S- Bhagwanpur, District- Kaimur (Bhabua).

... ... Petitioner/s

Versus

1.

The State of Bihar through the Principal Secretary, Home Department, Bihar, Patna.

2.

The Divisional Commissioner, Patna.

3.

The District Magistrate, Kaimur (Bhabua).

4.

The District Arms Magistrate, Kaimur (Bhabua). 5.

The Superintendent of Police, Kaimur (Bhabua). 6.

The SHO, P.S- Bhagwanpur, District- Kaimur (Bhabua). 7.

The S.D.O, Bhabua, District- Kaimur (Bhabua). ... ... Respondent/s ====================================================== Appearance :

For the Petitioner/s :

Mr. Abhash For the Respondent/s :

Mr. Ravi Kumar, AC to GP-13 ====================================================== CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE AJIT KUMAR ORAL ORDER 16-03-2026 Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned counsel for the State.

2. The instant writ application has been filed for the following reliefs:- (i) To direct the District Magistrate, Kaimur (Bhabua) to dispose of the application for Arms License dated 01.08.2018 filed by the petitioner for pistol in the light of recommendation made by S.H.O., Bhagwanpur on the ground of safety of life and property and also in the light of order dated 13.01.2020 passed in CWJC No.23723 of 2019.

(ii) To direct the respondents to grant Arms

Patna High Court CWJC No.2337 of 2026(2) dt.16-03-2026 2/3 license of pistol to the petitioner considering the recommendation made by the S.H.O., Bhagwanpur.

(iii) To direct the respondents to act in the accordance of provisions of Arms Act.

(iv) To grant any other relief as the Hon'ble Court deems fit and proper.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that an application in the prescribed format has already been filed before the District Magistrate, Kaimur (Bhabua), which is appended to the writ application as Annexure-P/1. However, till date, no action has been taken with regard to the grant of an arms licence. It is further submitted that, as per the provisions of the Arms Act, a licence may be granted for ensuring the safety of life and property upon an application being made. In the present case, the application was duly filed in the prescribed format, and the local police has also submitted a report indicating that the area where the petitioner carries on his business is Naxal-affected, posing a serious threat to his life. Despite the application having been filed as far back as 01.08.2018, no decision has yet been taken.

4. On the other hand, learned counsel for the State submits that since the application has already been made in the prescribed format, the competent authority is required to

Patna High Court CWJC No.2337 of 2026(2) dt.16-03-2026 3/3 adjudicate the same by passing an appropriate order in accordance with law.

5. In view of the submissions made on behalf of the parties, the District Magistrate, Kaimur (Bhabua), is directed to take a final decision on the petitioner's application for grant of an arms licence within a period of eight weeks from today. The order so passed shall also be communicated to the petitioner within the said period.

6. With the aforesaid observations and directions, the instant writ application stands disposed.

(Ajit Kumar, J) shikha/- U