Hemant Ankush Balwadkar v. State Of Maharashtra Thr Its Ministry Of Home Affairs And ANR

Digitally signed by RUPALI RAJESH WAKODIKAR Date:

2025.09.16 13:25:52 +0530 RUPALI RAJESH WAKODIKAR

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION WRIT PETITION NO. 11665 OF 2025 Hemant Ankush Balwadkar

...Petitioner

Versus

The State of Maharashtra Thr Its Ministry of Home Affairs & Anr.

...Respondents

Ms. Kalyani Mangave for the Petitioner.

Mr. M.M.Pabale, A.G.P for the Respondent-State. CORAM : REVATI MOHITE DERE & SANDESH D. PATIL, JJ.

DATE : 12 th SEPTEMBER, 2025 P.C. :

1.

Heard learned Counsel for the parties.

2.

By this petition, the petitioner seeks a direction to the respondent No.1 i.e. the Hon'ble Ministry of Home Affairs, to decide the petitioner's appeal which is pending before the respondent No.1 since 24th February, 2025.

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3.

Learned Counsel for petitioner states that the statutory period for deciding the appeal is 60 days and that, the statutory period came to an end on 26th April, 2025.

4.

Learned A.G.P states that a reasonable period be granted to enable the respondent No.1 to dispose of the petitioner's appeal. 5.

We are constrained to note that the petitioner is a 'Renowned Shooter' in two disciplines. It also appears that the petitioner has participated in numerous National Level Shooting competitions and has received several awards. It further appears that the petitioner, being a 'Renowned Shooter' currently holds four guns with Arms License for the purpose of sports. The petitioner has applied for six more weapons, so as to upgrade his performance in competitive shooting sports in which, he is required to possess various types of weapons. The petitioner's application was rejected by the respondent No.2- The Commissioner of Police, Pune vide order dated 24th January, 2025, pursuant to which, the petitioner has filed an appeal before the concerned Hon'ble Ministry of Home Affairs i.e. the 2/3

respondent No.2.

6.

Since the petitioner is a 'Renowned Shooter' and has applied for additional weapons for preparation of his national and international competitions and keeping in mind the mandate of the statute i.e. to decide his appeal within 60 days, we deem it appropriate to request the respondent No.1 i.e. the Hon'ble Ministry of Home Affairs, to decide the petitioner's appeal as expeditiously as possible, on its own merits, in accordance with law, within two weeks from the date of receipt of this order.

7.

Petition is allowed and disposed of on the aforesaid terms. 8.

Stand over to 3rd October, 2025. To be placed under the caption 'For Recording Compliance'.

SANDESH D. PATIL, J.

REVATI MOHITE DERE, J.

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