Nazeer Raja v. The District Collector
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 12-03-2026
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY Nazeer Raja ... Petitioner Vs.
1. The District Collector, Sivagangai District, Sivagangai.
2. The Superintendent of Police, Sivagangai District, Sivagangai.
3. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Thirupathur Taluk, Sivagangai District
4. The Inspector of Police, Singampuneri Police Station, Sivagangai District.
5. The Assistant Director, District Ex-Servicemen Welfare Office, Sivagangai District.
... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the 1st respondent to issue gun licence to the petitioner by mentioning his address at No.16-6-3(7) Kaasiyapillai Nagar, Singampunari Taluk, Sivagangai District and consequently direct the 4th respondent to return back the petitioners Revolver Gun in Gun licence No.K/10221/6
JC/DMS/2009 by considering his representation dated 17.02.2026 and pass such other or further orders as this Honble Court may deem fit and proper in the circumstances of this case and thus render justice. For Petitioner : Mr.K.Navaneetharaja For R1 & R5 : Mr.P.Thambidurai Government Advocate For R2 to R4 : Mr.K.Gnanasekaran Government Advocate (Crl.Side)
ORDER
The writ petition is filed for the following relief:- "Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the 1st respondent to issue gun licence to the petitioner by mentioning his address at No.16-6-3(7) Kaasiyapillai Nagar, Singampunari Taluk, Sivagangai District and consequently direct the 4th respondent to return back the petitioners Revolver Gun in Gun licence No.K/1022-JC/DMS/2009 by considering his representation dated 17.02.2026 and pass such other or further orders as this Honble Court may deem fit and proper in the circumstances of this case and thus render justice."
2. The case of the petitioner is that he is a retired Army personnel. Originally, a firearm license to possess a revolver was issued to him in the State of Jammu and Kashmir. Thereafter, upon returning to his native State and residing in Madurai, a new license was issued under the Act by the District Collector, Madurai, and was being renewed periodically. Subsequently, when the petitioner migrated from Madurai 2/6
District to his native Singampunari in Sivagangai District, he applied for the license to be duly endorsed by the 1st respondent/District Collector, Sivagangai, reflecting his current headquarters and place of residence. However, the application has been kept pending. Meanwhile, the jurisdictional Inspector of Police has taken possession of the revolver, as there is to date no renewal of the license by the 1st respondent/District Collector, Sivagangai.
3. When the matter came up for hearing today, the learned Government Advocate appearing on behalf of the 1st respondent/District Collector, Sivagangai would submit that the petitioner is around 65 years old and a due enquiry must be conducted on his request, including a medical examination if necessary. Upon ascertaining his entitlement in accordance with the rules, the 1st respondent/District Collector, Sivagangai will pass the necessary orders. Thereafter, the revolver gun shall be handed over to the petitioner as appropriate .
4. In view of the said submissions made, the writ petition is disposed of on the following terms:- 3/6
i. The 1st respondent/District Collector, Sivagangai shall take up the representation of the petitioner dated 17.02.2026 and the same shall be treated as an application, as per the Act and the Rules framed thereunder.
ii. The 1st respondent/District Collector, Sivagangai shall call for any further document or any other further particulars from the petitioner and orders be passed with reference to the license in respect of the firearm possessed by the petitioner, being the revolver gun (License No.K1022-JC/DMS/2009) iii. Depending on the decision of the 1st respondent/District Collector, Sivagangai, the 4th respondent shall return the firearm to the possession of the petitioner.
iv. The aforesaid exercise shall be concluded as expeditiously as possible, in any event not later than 16 weeks from the date of receipt of the web copy of the order, without waiting for the certified copy of the order.
v. No costs.
12.03.2026 Index: Yes Speaking Order: Yes rgm 4/6
To
1. The District Collector, Sivagangai District, Sivagangai.
2. The Superintendent of Police, Sivagangai District, Sivagangai.
3. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Thirupathur Taluk, Sivagangai District
4. The Inspector of Police, Singampuneri Police Station, Sivagangai District.
5. The Assistant Director, District Ex-Servicemen Welfare Office, Sivagangai District.
5/6
D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J.
rgm 12.03.2026 6/6