Allahabad High Court
ANSHUMAN SINGHversusSTATE OF U.P. AND 2 OTHERS
- Decided
- Bench
- VINOD DIWAKAR
Holding
The District Magistrate must decide the petitioner’s firearm licence application within six weeks of the order.
Summary
The petitioner, Anshuman Singh, sought a writ of mandamus directing the District Magistrate of Jaunpur to grant him a firearm licence and to issue a reasoned order on his application dated 23‑12‑2025. He argued that his father, who previously held a licence, is now elderly and infirm, and that Singh, as the sole heir and manager of a commercial firm, has a bona‑fide need for a firearm for personal and property protection. The court examined whether the administrative authority had unreasonably delayed the decision and whether a mandamus could be issued to compel action. Finding no legal impediment and noting the petitioner’s legitimate requirement, the court ordered the District Magistrate to decide the application within six weeks of receiving a certified copy of the order. The petition was consequently disposed with the specified direction.
Issues considered
- Whether a writ of mandamus can be issued to compel the District Magistrate to grant a firearm licence and pass a reasoned order within a stipulated time.
Subjects
- firearm licence
- mandamus
- administrative law
- Arms Act
- self‑protection
- district magistrate
Judgment
HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT ALLAHABAD
WRIT - C No. - 13337 of 2026
Anshuman Singh
.....Petitioner(s)
Versus
State Of U.P. And 2 Others
.....Respondent(s)
Counsel for Petitioner(s) : Vipin Kumar Singh
Counsel for Respondent(s) : C.S.C.
Court No. - 37
HON'BLE VINOD DIWAKAR, J.
1. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned Standing Counsel for
the State.
2. The instant petition has been filed seeking a direction in the nature of a
writ of mandamus commanding the respondent no.2- District Magistrate,
Jaunpur, to grant a firearm licence to the petitioner and, further, to pass a
reasoned and speaking order on the petitioner's application dated
23.12.2025, bearing File No. 1152 of 2025, relating to the grant of a firearm
licence, within a stipulated period.
3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that an arms licence was
granted in favour of the petitioner's father about 25 years ago, pursuant to
which he had purchased a firearm, namely Revolver No. FG-23266, .32
bore. It is further submitted that the petitioner's father is now of advanced
age and is suffering from age-related ailments, and has been undergoing
treatment at SGPGI, Lucknow for a considerable period. Owing to his
medical condition, he is not physically fit. The petitioner is stated to be the
sole son and legal heir of his father.
4. It is further submitted that the petitioner manages a registered firm,
"Royal Enterprises," owned by his mother, who has duly authorized him to
conduct its affairs. Owing to the nature of business and need for handling
commercial transactions, the petitioner has a bona fide requirement of a
firearm for self-protection and protection of property. Accordingly, a
suitable direction be issued to the respondent no.2 to decide the aforesaid
application within stipulated time.
WRIC No. 13337 of 2026
2
5. In the facts and circumstances of the case, the present writ petition is
being finally disposed of with the direction to the respondent no.2 to decide
the petitioner's application dated 23.12.2025 within a period six weeks from
the date of presentation of a certified copy of this order.
April 16, 2026
A. Tripathi
(Vinod Diwakar,J.)
Digitally signed by :-
AKHILESH TRIPATHI
High Court of Judicature at Allahabad
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