Fateh Singh Son Of Sh Chet Ram v. State Of Haryana And Others

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH CWP-18856-2026 Date of Decision : July 01, 2026 FATEH SINGH -PETITIONER V/S STATE OF HARYANA AND OTHERS -RESPONDENTS

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE KULDEEP TIWARI

Present:

Mr. Aditya Sanghi, Advocate, and Mr. Rajiv Goel, Advocate for the petitioner.

Mr. Gaurav Jindal, Addl. A.G., Haryana.

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

The sole grievance propelling the petitioner to approach this Court by filing the instant writ petition stems from the order dated 20.04.2026, whereby his application for renewal of Arms Licence No.266/Faridabad/May 1999 pertaining to Weapon No.154-P (Out Side) has been closed without recording any reasons.

2.

Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that, in terms of Section 14 of the Arms Act, 1959, the licensing authority is under a statutory obligation to record, in writing, the reasons for refusing the grant or renewal of an arms licence. It is contended that, in the present case, the licensing authority has failed to discharge the said statutory obligation by not passing a reasoned and speaking order assigning the grounds for closure of the petitioner's application. It is, therefore, prayed that a direction be issued to the licensing authority to decide the petitioner's application for renewal of the arms licence by passing a reasoned and speaking order within DEVINDER YADAV 2026.07.02 11:17 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment

CWP-18856-2026 a stipulated period.

3.

Learned State counsel, who is in receipt of an advance copy of the writ petition and represents the respondents, submits that he has no objection if a direction is issued to the licensing authority to decide the petitioner's application by passing a reasoned and speaking order within a time-bound period.

4.

In view of the above, this Court deems it appropriate to dispose of the instant writ petition with a direction to the competent authority amongst the respondents to decide the petitioner's application for renewal of the arms licence by passing a reasoned and speaking order within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this order, after affording the petitioner an adequate opportunity of hearing. 5.

Disposed of accordingly.

6.

Liberty is also reserved to the petitioner to move an appropriate application for revival of the instant writ petition in the event the authority fails to abide by the directions issued hereinabove. (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