Patna High Court
Raj Kumar SinghversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- DISPOSED
- Bench
- AJIT KUMAR
Holding
The court held that while it would not issue a mandamus, the licensing authority must render a final decision on the conversion application within eight weeks.
Summary
The petitioner, Raj Kumar Singh, filed a writ petition seeking a mandamus directing the District Magistrate to convert his pistol licence (Arms Licence No. 2072/16 dated 19‑07‑2016) into a revolver licence under the Arms Act. He alleged that his application filed on 03‑09‑2024 for conversion under Rule 18 of the Arms Rules had not been acted upon. The State argued that the application was pending consideration and should be dealt with according to law. The Court directed the licensing authority to take a final decision within eight weeks of the representation and ordered the petitioner to submit any further supporting material within two weeks. The order was to be communicated to the petitioner, and the writ application was disposed.
Issues considered
- Whether the petitioner is entitled to a writ of mandamus directing the conversion of a pistol licence to a revolver licence under the Arms Act and Arms Rules.
- Whether the delay in processing the conversion application violates the petitioner’s statutory rights.
- Whether the court can compel the licensing authority to decide within a specified time frame.
Legislation cited
- Arms Act, 1959
- Arms Rules, 2016 — s. Rule 18
Subjects
- Arms licence conversion
- pistol to revolver
- mandamus
- writ jurisdiction
- Arms Act
- Rule 18
- licensing authority
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.18467 of 2025
======================================================
Raj Kumar Singh S/o Shree Shambhu Singh, Resident of Mohalla- 6D
Chatterjee Lane House No.-A/4, Dhakanpura, P.S.- Gardanibagh, District-
Patna.
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
1. The State of Bihar through Chief Secretary of Bihar Government old
Secretariat, Patna.
2. District Magistrate, Collectorate, Patna.
3. Commissioner, Patna Division, Patna.
4. Senior Superintendent of Police, Patna.
5. Additional District Magistrate Collectorate, Patna.
... ... Respondent/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr. Ravi Shanker, Advocate
For the Respondent/s : Mr. Akshay Lal Prasad, A.C. to G.P.-13.
Mr. Ravin Kumar, A.C.to G.P.-13.
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE AJIT KUMAR
ORAL ORDER
2 11-05-2026 Heard the parties.
2. Writ petition has been filed for grant of following
relief :-
“(I) For issuance of writ in the nature of mandamus to
command the Respondent no. 2 for seeking direction for changing
the Arms and conversion of aforesaid Arms of Pistol in to revolver
which has been granted licenses of pistol by the vide order dated
19.7.2016 Its respective Arms license No. 2072/16 by the
respondent no. 2 subsequently Arms Pistol into should be of
converted revolver with permission of Respondent no. 2 the basis
on of sale and purchase in accordance with law of Arms Act. which
contained in Annexure P/1 series same is still pending before the
respondent no.2 since 03.09.2024.”
3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that for
changing the arms and convert the aforesaid arms licence of pistol to
revolver in Reference to the Arms Licence No.2072 of 2016 an
Patna High Court CWJC No.18467 of 2025(2) dt.11-05-2026
2/2
application has already been filed before the District Magistrate,
Patna on 03.09.2024 and it is the case of the petitioner that
appropriate renewal of such arms licence with proper verification
is required to be carried out but from unexplained reasons, the
conversion of pistol to revolver have not been carried out in terms of
Rule 18 of Arms Rules.
4. Learned counsel for the State submits that since
application have already been placed for consideration, this matter
may be directed to be considered in accordance with law.
5. Considering the aforesaid, the licencing authority is
directed to take a final decision within a period of 8 weeks from the
date of representation and for which the petitioner would be filing
appropriate representation in continuation with representation dated
03.09.2024 with a copy of this order passed by this Court and as also
other supportive materials which the petitioner may propose to be
appended for consideration within a period of two weeks from today.
The order so passed shall also be communicated to the petitioner
within the said period.
6. With the aforesaid observations and directions, the
instant writ application stands disposed.
sanjeev/- (Ajit Kumar, J)
U
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