1. It is a tragedy that even though we live in a democratic society governed by rule of law, there appears to be no rule of law so far as district administration is concerned. The petitioner had applied for grant of an arms licence and had recommendations from various officers and on 25.3.2003 after quite sometime, he learnt that his application was rejected: He, accordingly, filed application for grant of certified copy of the order on 28.2.2004 but still he was not supplied any order or disclosed anything. Thus, he came to this Court.

2. It appears that a counter affidavit had been drawn up and filed in the proceedings by the State. Counter affidavit is not on record nor the same has been served on the petitioner. However, I have perused the counter affidavit, copy of which is available with the State Counsel. The said counter affidavit merely states that as the petitioner had two other arms, his application was rejected. It does not give the date of rejection order, nor does it append the order nor the order is being communicated to the petitioner, nor certified copy made available to the petitioner. Apparently, the district authorities think that it is a big state secre