Patna High Court
Bijay Kumar JhaversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- DISPOSED
- Bench
- AJIT KUMAR
Holding
The District Magistrate must consider the petitioner’s arms licence claim and pass an order within four weeks of the fresh representation.
Summary
Petitioner Bijay Kumar Jha filed a writ petition seeking a direction to the District Magistrate, Begusarai, to finalize his arms licence application dated 20‑09‑2018, which had remained pending despite filing. The State argued that the application was already before the magistrate and could be disposed of by setting a timeline. The Court observed that the application had been duly filed and no licence had been issued, and therefore directed the District Magistrate to consider the petitioner's claim and pass the necessary order within four weeks of the fresh representation. The direction was made in accordance with the legislative intent to avoid undue administrative delay. The writ petition was thereafter disposed.
Issues considered
- Whether the District Magistrate, Begusarai, should be directed to finalize the petitioner’s arms licence application within a specified period?
Subjects
- arms licence
- writ petition
- district magistrate
- administrative delay
- direction
- civil writ jurisdiction
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.7976 of 2025
======================================================
Bijay Kumar Jha Son of Late Narendra Jha Resident of Village-Narayanpur,
P.S. Khodabandpur, District- Begusarai.
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
1. The State of Bihar Bihar
2. The Distirct Magistrate, Begusarai.
3. The Superintendent of Police, Begusarai.
4. The Station House Officer, P.S.-Khodabandpur, District-Begusarai.
... ... Respondent/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr.Hrishikesh
Mr.Chanramauli Kumar
Ms.Katyayani Jha
For the State : Mr.Mujtabaul Haque, GP12
Mr.Vasant Vikas, AC to GP12
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE AJIT KUMAR
ORAL ORDER
2 16-03-2026 In the instant petition, petitioner has prayed for the
following relief(s):-
“(i) For a direction to the
Respondent District Magistrate,
Begusarai to finalize the application
dated 20.09.2018 for grant of arms
license made by the Petitioner to the
D.M., Begusarai, without further delay,
preferably within a specified period.
(ii) For any other relief for
which the Petitioner may be found
entitled in law.”
2. Counsel for the petitioner submits that despite
appropriate applications having been filed before the competent
authority, which is appended to the writ petition as Annexure-1
series, the arms license has not been issued by the competent
Patna High Court CWJC No.7976 of 2025(2) dt.16-03-2026
2/2
authority, Begusarai.
3. Learned counsel for the State submits that
application under prescribed format has already been placed
before the District Magistrate, Begusarai. The same may be
directed to dispose of by framing the timeline.
4. Considering the submission of the parties, this court
finds its appropriate to direct the District Magistrate, Begusarai
to consider the claim of this petitioner for grant of arms license
within a period of four weeks from the date of fresh
representation and necessary orders shall be passed in this case,
in accordance with law strictly in consonance with the object of
the legislature.
4. With the above observation, the instant writ petition
stands disposed of.
(Ajit Kumar, J)
abhishekkr/-
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