Bappaditya Mandal v. State Of West Bengal And ORS.

D/L. 12.

October 3, 2023.

MNS.

WPA No. 16455 of 2023 Bappaditya Mandal Vs.

The State of West Bengal and others Mr. Soumak Bera, Ms. Soma Chowdhury ... for the petitioner.

1. Affidavit-of-service filed in Court today be kept on record.

2. Learned counsel for the petitioner contends that the petitioner has prospects to get a job of security guard subject to his obtaining a current gun licence.

3. Learned counsel also places reliance on a certificate issued by the Serampore Rifle Club annexed at page 22 of the writ petition to certify that the petitioner has taken 'gun training' from the said club and knows all safety rules regarding handling of arms including firing techniques.

4. The petitioner also places reliance on a communication by one M/s. Defender

Security Services, which indicates that if the petitioner furnishes his gun licence he will get a job of security guard.

5. Sufficient bona fides have been made out otherwise by the petitioner for obtaining a gun licence.

6. However, it is alleged that the respondent no. 2, that is, the District Magistrate, Hooghly, is sitting tight over the application of the petitioner.

7. Since none appears at the time of call for the respondent authorities, the matter is taken up for hearing ex parte by taking on record the affidavit-ofservice filed today.

8. In view of the above discussions, WPA No. 16455 of 2023 is allowed, thereby directing the respondent no. 2, that is, the District Magistrate, Hooghly, to issue an arms licence/ gun licence in favour of the petitioner within four weeks from the date of communication of this order to the said respondent, subject to the petitioner otherwise qualifying for the said licence and

complying all formalities in respect thereof.

9. There will be no order as to costs.

10. Urgent photostat certified copies of this order, if applied for, be made available to the parties upon compliance with the requisite formalities.

(Sabyasachi Bhattacharyya, J.)