( 1 ) THE state of karnataka, along with its corps of detectives, are the petitioners before this court. They have questioned the legality of the order dated 19-9-1994 (Annexure-E) passed by the xii additional city civil and sessions judge, metropolitan area, Bangalore in criminal appeal No. Ill of 1993 as also that of the order dated 24-6-1993 (Annexure-F) passed by the learned magistrate, Bangalore in c. c. No. 2559 of 1992. The orders pertain to the disposal of 162 firearms and the same have been placed at annexures-e and f respectively to the writ petition. facts one Mr. Arjun vij was carrying on business in firearms under the name and style M/s. Arjun Armoury at No. 4002, high point, palace road, Bangalore. For the said purpose he had obtained licence under the Provisions of the arms Act, 1959 (in short the act' only) and the rules framed thereunder. According to the personal affidavit filed, by the deputy superintendent of police, cod in the present proceedings on 7-2-1997, the said licence was valid for the period 24-6-1985 to 31-12-1990.

( 2 ) IT is a matter of record that the said arjun vij was murdered in the intervening night of 3/4-4-1990 at Bombay alon