Allahabad High Court

RAJENDRA SINGHversusSTATE OF U.P AND 2 OTHERS

Decided: 22 September 2026
Bench: SAURABH SHYAM SHAMSHERY

Holding

The court held that the competent authority must consider and decide the firearm licence application expeditiously, based on a fresh police report, in accordance with the Arms Act, 1959.

Summary

Petitioner Rajendra Singh filed a writ petition seeking expedited consideration of his application for a firearm licence filed on 5 December 2025. The petitioner alleged delay by the competent authority in processing the licence. The High Court, without delving into the merits of the licence application, directed the authority to decide the matter based on a fresh police report and to do so within the time frame prescribed under the Arms Act, 1959, provided there is no legal impediment. The court emphasized the need for expeditious action but did not order the grant or denial of the licence. Consequently, the petition was disposed of with the said direction.

Issues considered

Whether the petitioner is entitled to an expedited consideration of his firearm licence application under the Arms Act, 1959.

Legislation cited

Arms Act, 1959

Subjects

firearm licence
expedited hearing
Arms Act 1959
writ petition
High Court

Judgment

                                             HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT ALLAHABAD
                                                            WRIT - C No. - 38386 of 2026

                                    Rajendra Singh
                                                                                                .....Petitioner(s)
                                                                      Versus

                                    State Of U.P And 2 Others
                                                                                              .....Respondent(s)

                                    Counsel for Petitioner(s)          :     Paritosh Sukla, Prashant Pandey
                                    Counsel for Respondent(s)          :     C.S.C.

                                    Court No. - 36
                                               HON'BLE SAURABH SHYAM SHAMSHERY, J.

                                    1. Heard Sri Prashant Pandey, learned counsel for petitioner and learned

                                    Standing Counsel for State-Respondents.


                                    2. Petitioner has approached this Court to expedite the consideration of
                                    his application dated 05.12.2025 for grant of firearm licence.


                                    3. In view of above, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the

                                    issue and considering the facts and circumstances of the case, this writ

                                    petition is disposed of finally with a direction to respondent-Competent

                                    Authority to consider and decide petitioner’s application for grant of

                                    firearm licence on basis of a fresh police report in accordance with law

                                    expeditiously, preferably within the period prescribed under Arms Act,

                                    1959, if there is no legal impediment.


                                                                                (Saurabh Shyam Shamshery,J.)
                                    September 23, 2026
                                    AK




Digitally signed by :-
AWADESH KUMAR
High Court of Judicature at Allahabad

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