Patna High Court
Shri Ram MishraversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- DISPOSED
- Bench
- AJIT KUMAR
Holding
The District Arms Magistrate must decide the petitioner's renewal application and correct the UIN within eight weeks.
Summary
Shri Ram Mishra applied for renewal of his DBBL gun licence (No. 1970-51/1985) for the period 2026‑2030, paying the requisite fee, but the renewal was not processed because the authorities recorded an incorrect Unique Identification Number (UIN). The petitioner filed a writ petition seeking a direction to rectify the UIN and to grant the renewal, also submitting a representation dated 16‑02‑2026. The State argued that the application was in the prescribed format and the competent authority must adjudicate it. The Court held that the District Arms Magistrate must take a final decision on the renewal and correct the UIN within eight weeks, and that the order be communicated to the petitioner. Accordingly, the writ application was disposed.
Issues considered
- Whether the authorities are obligated to rectify the erroneous UIN and grant renewal of the arms licence under the Arms Act.
- Whether the delay in processing the renewal application violates the statutory duty of the competent authority.
Legislation cited
Subjects
- arms licence renewal
- UIN mismatch
- administrative delay
- High Court writ jurisdiction
- District Arms Magistrate
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.5844 of 2026
======================================================
Shri Ram Mishra Son of Late Raj Kumar Mishra, Permanent resident of
Villag-e Bharauli, P.S.- Shahpur, District- Bhojpur. At present Resident of
Mohalla- Sun City Colony, Lane No. 2, Gola Road, P.S. Danapur, District-
Patna.
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
1. The State of Bihar through the Principal Secretary, Department of Home,
Government of Bihar, Patna.
2. The Collector, Patna.
3. The District Arms Magistrate, Patna.
4. The Senior Superintendent of Police, Patna.
5. The Officer-in-Charge, Danapur P.S., Danapur, Patna.
... ... Respondent/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr.Prabhakar Thakur, Advocate
For the Respondent/s : Mr.Government Pleader (19)
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE AJIT KUMAR
ORAL ORDER
2 09-07-2026 Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned
counsel for the State.
2. The writ application has been filed for the
following reliefs:-
(i) For direction to the respondent
concerned to immediately rectify the UIN
No. which has been inadvertently marked by
the office as UIN No. 051880001751962014
on the DBBLgun license No. 1970-51/1985
and renew the Arms License of the Petitioner
for the year 2026 to 2030 forthwith.
(ii) For direction to the
respondents concerned to renew the Arms
License of the Petitioner of DBBL gun
license No. 1970-51/1985for the year 2026
Patna High Court CWJC No.5844 of 2026(2) dt.09-07-2026
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to 2030.
(iii) For direction to the
respondents to consider and dispose of the
detailed representation filed by the petitioner
dated 16.02.2026 (Annexure-P/3) for
renewing the Arms License of DBBL gun
license No. 1970-51/1985 after rectifying the
UIN No. which has been wrongly marked
and endorsed by the respondents as as UIN
No. 051880001751962014.
(iv) The Petitioner further prays
for issuance of writ/ writs, order/orders,
direction/directions for the following
relief/reliefs which he is entitled to in the fact
and circumstances of the present case.
3. Learned counsel for the petitioner fairly submits
that an application for renewal of DBBL Gun Licence No. 1970-
51/1985 for further period of Year 2026 to 2030 in the
prescribed format with challan of Rs. 2,500/- has already been
filed by the petitioner before the District Arms Magistrate,
Patna, which is appended to the writ application as Annexure-
P/2. However, till date, no action has been taken with regard to
the renewal of the arms license citing mis-match of the UIN
number for which the petitioner has also given a detailed
representation before the Respondent No. 2 and 3 for
rectification of the UIN number and further renewal of his Arms
license. It is next submitted that, as per the provisions of the
Arms Act, a license may be renewed for ensuring the safefy of
Patna High Court CWJC No.5844 of 2026(2) dt.09-07-2026
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life and property upon an application being made. Despite the
application having been filed on 01.12.2025, 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 by the parties, the
District Arms Magistrate, Patna (Respondent No. 3), is directed
to take a final decision on the petitioner's application for
renewal of the arms license within a period of eight weeks from
today. The order so passed shall also be communicated to the
petitioner forthwith.
6. With the aforesaid observations and directions, the
instant writ application stands disposed.
(Ajit Kumar, J)
surya/-
U
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