Patna High Court
Rehana KhatoonversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- DISPOSED
- Bench
- AJIT KUMAR
Holding
The court held that the District Magistrate must decide the petitioner’s NPB license application within eight weeks and communicate the order.
Summary
The petitioner, Rehana Khatoon, filed a writ petition seeking a direction to the State of Bihar and the District Magistrate, Patna, to grant her a Non‑Prohibited Bore (NPB) revolver/pistol license under the Arms Act. She alleged that despite filing the requisite application on 10‑Nov‑2023, no decision had been taken, causing undue delay. The State contended that the application was in the prescribed format and the competent authority must adjudicate it according to law. The High Court directed the District Magistrate to pass a final order on the license application within eight weeks and to communicate the decision to the petitioner. Consequently, the writ petition was disposed.
Issues considered
- Whether the District Magistrate is required to decide a pending NPB license application within a reasonable time under the Arms Act.
- Whether the petitioner is entitled to a writ direction compelling the grant of an arms license.
Legislation cited
Subjects
- Arms license
- Non‑Prohibited Bore
- Writ jurisdiction
- Administrative delay
- District Magistrate
- High Court
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.18807 of 2025
======================================================
Rehana Khatoon W/o Mohammad Sakir, Mohalla- Mogalpura Bigha, P.S.-
Bakhtiyarpur, District- Patna, Bihar.
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
1. The State of Bihar through the Home Secretary, Government of Bihar.
2. The District Magistrate, Patna.
3. The Senior Superintendent of Police, Patna.
4. The Station House Officer, Bakhtiyarpur.
... ... Respondent/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr.Manisha Pandey
For the Respondent/s : Mr.Government Advocate (05)
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE AJIT KUMAR
ORAL ORDER
2 11-05-2026 Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned
counsel for the State.
2. The writ application has been filed seeking a
direction commanding the respondents authorities to grant
license of Non-Prohibited Bore (NPB) revolver/pistol to the
petitioner in terms of provisions of Arms Act and to dispose of
the application dated 10.11.2023 filed by the petitioner which is
said to be pending before the Respondent No.2, the District
Magistrate, Patna.
3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that an
application in the prescribed format has already been filed
before the District Magistrate, Patna, which is appended to the
writ application. However, till date, no action has been taken
Patna High Court CWJC No.18807 of 2025(2) dt.11-05-2026
2/2
with regard to the grant of an arms license. It is further
submitted that, as per the provisions of the Arms Act, a license
may be granted for ensuring the safety of life and property upon
an application being made. Despite the application having been
filed on 10.11.2023, no decision has yet been taken.
4. On the other hand, learned counsel for the State
submits that since the application has already been made in the
prescribed format, the competent authority is required to
adjudicate the same by passing an appropriate order in
accordance with law.
5. In view of the submissions made on behalf of the
parties, the District Magistrate, Patna, is directed to take a final
decision on the petitioner’s application for grant of an arms
license within a period of eight 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.
(Ajit Kumar, J)
sanjeev/-
U
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