1. This petition is filed by the petitioner for an appropriate writ, order or direction, quashing and setting aside an order passed by District Magistrate, Bhavnagar, respondent No. 2 herein on December 31, 1987 (Annexure - C to the petition) and confirmed by the State Government on 5th December, 1988 (Annexure - E to the petition) by directing the authorities to renew the licence of the petitioner bearing No. 189 of 1977.

2. The case of the petitioner was that he was President of Bhavnagar Diamond Merchants' Association and was a man of repute. He was holding Arms Licence bearing No. 189 of 1977 since 1977 for his personal use. In that capacity, he owned and possessed a weapon viz. .32 bore revolver. The licence was renewed from time to time till January 12, 1988.

3. It was the case of the petitioner that when he was travelling in S.T. Bus near Anand, his bag was stolen, wherein the above weapon was kept by him. Immediately, he lodged a complaint which was registered as Complaint No. 5287. The arm, however, could not be traced. Meanwhile, period of licence was about to expire. He, therefore, made an application on December 4, 1987 for renewal of licence, but the same was rejected by