( 1 ) THE points involved in this bunch of writ petitions is similar and therefore they are being disposed of by a common order.

( 2 ) THE three principal prayers made in the writ petitions are (1) that a writ of certiorari be issued for quashing the first information report dated 13-6-1996 which was registered as Case Crime No. 700 of 1996 under Sections 419, 420, 470 and 471, I. P. C. of police Station Coloneganj, Allahabad (2) that a writ of mandamus be issued commanding the respondents not to arrest the petitioners in pursuance of the aforesaid F. I. R. and (3) that a writ of mandamus be issued commanding the Senior Superintendent of Police, Allahabad not to compel the petitioners to deposit their weapons.

( 3 ) FROM the short counter-affidavit filed by Sri Jagdish Prasad Yadav, Arms Clerk, Collectorate Allahabad in writ petition No. 2287 of 1996, it transpires that the Senior Superintendent of Police of another district namely Ambedkar Nagar sent a letter dated 5-4-1996 to the District Magistrate, Allahabad making inquiry regarding the arms licences of certain persons who were arrested in connection with a criminal case in his district. The City Magistrate/off