( 1 ) THE petitioner made an application to the respondent-Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad on 23-5-1997 under Sections 13 and 14 of the Arms Act, 1959 (hereinafter referred to as the Act) seeking an arms licence. The same was rejected by the respondent by an order dated 8-8-1997. Impugning the same, the petitioner filed this writ petition seeking a writ of mandamus directing the respondent to reconsider the application for grant of arms licence.

( 2 ) THE impugned order dated 8-8-1997 bearing No. Lando/35/arms/hs. 6/97 reads as follows:"government of Andhra Pradesh (Police Department) Office of the Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad-City. Dated 8-8-1997. No. L and O/35/35/arms/hs6/97. Memo Sub: Arms Act and Rules-Grant of Fresh Arms Licence-Reg. Ref: Your application dated 23-5-1997. With reference to your application cited, your request for grant of Fresh Arms licence has been considered and rejected . Sd/xxxxx for Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad-City. To: Sri Mir Sabir Ali, R/o:h. No. 22-1-611, Noorkhan Bazar, Hyderabad"

( 3 ) LEARNED Counsel for the petitioner submits that Section 13 of the Arms Act empowers the respondent to grant licence and Section 14 deals