Kapur, J.

1. The applicant has moved this Court for an order of Mandamus, as he calls it, to quash the order passed by the District Magistrate of Ferozepore, dated 31-10-1953, cancelling the applicants licence for a revolver.

2. According to the applicant, he is a peaceful citizen of the Union of India, being a resident of Gidderbaha, an elected member of the village Panchayat and belongs to no political party. He owns about a hundred "shumaons of land and was granted a licence for a revolver in about 1947 and he claims that he has not been convicted of any offence under the Arms Act or any rules made thereunder. His licence was cancelled under S, 18, Arms Act and he assails that order on several grounds given in para 6 of his petition.

3. The State has filed an affidavit in reply according to which the petitioner was not granted a licence for a revolver after considering the merits of the case but he got illegal possession of a revolver, and as that was registered a licence was granted. The State has placed on the record a fist of cases in which the applicant was convicted and of cases in which he was suspected of various offences of theft and of house-breaking. The State