Harinder Singh Dhanoa v. State Of Punjab And Others

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH CWP-18728-2026 Date of Decision : July 01, 2026 HARINDER SINGH DHANOA -PETITIONER V/S STATE OF PUNJAB AND OTHERS -RESPONDENTS

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE KULDEEP TIWARI

Present:

Mr. Loveleen Nanda, Advocate for the petitioner.

Mr. Sahil R. Bakshi, A.A.G., Punjab.

*** KULDEEP TIWARI, J. (ORAL) 1.

Through the instant writ petition, the petitioner seeks a direction to the competent respondent amongst the respondents to grant him an arms licence.

2.

Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that, in terms of Section 14 of the Arms Act, 1959 (hereinafter referred to as "the Arms Act"), the licensing authority is under a statutory obligation to record, in writing, the reasons for refusing to grant an arms licence. It is contended that, in the present case, while declining the petitioner's application for grant of an arms licence, the licensing authority has failed to pass a reasoned and speaking order assigning the grounds for such refusal and has merely recorded that "the file of the applicant has been consigned by the department", as is evident from Annexure P-3. 3.

Having heard learned counsel for the petitioner, this Court drew his attention to the provisions of Section 18 of the Arms Act, which DEVINDER YADAV 2026.07.02 11:17 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment

CWP-18728-2026 provide for a statutory appeal against an order passed by the licensing authority refusing to grant an arms licence, and enquired whether the petitioner had availed of the said statutory remedy. Learned counsel answered the query in the negative.

4.

Faced with the above, learned counsel for the petitioner seeks leave to withdraw the instant writ petition, with liberty to avail of the statutory remedy by filing an appeal under Section 18 of the Arms Act before the appellate authority against the order refusing grant of an arms licence. It is further prayed that, in the event such an appeal is filed, the same be directed to be decided within a time-bound period. 5.

Accordingly, the instant writ petition is dismissed as withdrawn, with liberty (supra). In the event the petitioner files the statutory appeal within a period of four weeks from today, the appellate authority shall endeavour to decide the same within a period of eight weeks thereafter, after giving an adequate opportunity of hearing to the petitioner. (KULDEEP TIWARI) July 01, 2026 JUDGE devinder Whether speaking/reasoned :

Yes/No Whether Reportable :

Yes/No DEVINDER YADAV 2026.07.02 11:17 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment