Hon’ble Sunil Ambwani, J.—Heard Shri Sunil Kumar, holding brief of Shri Rajesh Yadav and Shri Daya Shanker for the petitioner and learned Standing Counsel for the State respondents.

2. It is alleged that the petitioner is a contractor in Nagar Palika Parishad, Mubarakpur, District Azamgarh. Due to his clean and honest activities and loyalties, many rival groups are keeping inimical inclinations towards him and as such he has a desperate need of gun licence for the protection of his life. It is also stated that the petitioner belongs to a responsible family and does not have any adverse record throughout his career.

3. The petitioner applied for grant of licence of a N.P. Bore Rifle on 17.2.2003. The application was sent to the Sub Divisional Magistrate, Sadar, Azamgarh and the Superintendent of Police, Azamgarh for their report. The Sub Divisional Magistrate submitted his report on 14.8.2006. During the pendency of the proceedings for grant of the licence, the petitioner filed a Writ Petition No. 29163 of 2007, Mohd. Abdul Haq v. State of U.P. and others. This Court disposed of the writ petition on 4.7.2007, directing the District Magistrate to decide the application strictly