P&H: Arms Licence Cannot Be Suspended Merely Because An FIR Is Pending.
High Court has ruled that an arms licence cannot be suspended or its renewal refused solely because an FIR is pending against the licensee. Court quashed orders of Additional District Magistrate, and Divisional Commissioner, which had suspended the arms licence of petitioner pending the outcome of an FIR under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
Licence, first granted in 2001 and renewed periodically, expired in October 2024. When he applied for renewal, the licensing authority noted a 2020 FIR under Sections 21(1) and 4(1) of the MMDR Act and, after issuing a show-cause notice and hearing him, suspended...
