J U D G M E N T

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The petitioner, who is aged 16 years, is a shooter registered with the National Rifle Association of India. The petitioner seeks to quash Ext.P6 and to command the 1st respondent-District Collector to forthwith reconsider Ext.P3 application submitted by the petitioner for Arms Licence.

2. The petitioner has participated in the 66th National Shooting Championship competitions (Pistol Events) held at Bhopal in the year 2023. The petitioner secured high score and was certified as 'Renowned Shooter'. The petitioner wanted to participate in point 22 Pistol matches at the State and National levels. The petitioner therefore applied for an Arms Licence under Section 3 of the Arms Act, 1959 .

3. The petitioner states that the Central Government has issued Ext.P5 Notification dated 12.02.2020 exempting the class of persons specified therein from the operation of Section 9 (1)(a)(i). The petitioner being a certified Renowned Shooter, she stands exempted from the provisions of (1)(a)(i). However, to the predicament of the petitioner, the 1st respondent-District Collector issued Ext.P6 order dated 03.05.2024 rejecting Ext.P3 application for Arms Licence submit