THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE N.V.SHRAVAN KUMAR WRIT PETITION No.31646 of 2025

ORDER

Heard Sri Muneer Basha Shaik, learned counsel for the petitioner and learned Assistant Government Pleader for Home appearing for the respondents. With their consent, this writ petition is being taken up for disposal at the admission stage itself.

2. This writ petition has been filed seeking the following prayer:-

“Declaring the inaction of the respondents for not considering the application of the petitioner’s request for grant of fresh Arms License dated 31.08.2024 to possess two weapons i.e., 1) NPB Rifle/Hand Gun and 2) NPB Rifle with area validity to “Throughout India” for sports purpose of under Aspiring Shooter Category as illegal, arbitrary against the Constitution of India and violation of Articles 14, 19, 20 and 21 of the Constitution of India and set aside the same.”

3. Brief facts of the case stated are that the petitioner represents Telangana in shooting championships and also participated in the 9^th Telangana State shooting championship competitions in the year 2023 held at Sports Authority of Telangana State Shooting Ranges, Hyderabad from 14th, to 21^st June, 2023 at Hyderabad in 50 m Rifle Prone (nr) Championship Men (individual) and scored 537/600 and was awarded as aspiring shooter by virtue of having participated in above Championships. The petitioner subsequently participated in X Telangana State Shooting Championship Competitions at Hyderabad 2024, held from 21^st June to 28^th June, 2024 at Hyderabad in 25M Standard Pistol (NR) Championship Men Individual and scored 245/300 and was awarded as aspiring shooter in Pistol event. He also participated in XI Telangana State championship competitions Rifle/Pistol 2025 held at Hyderabad from 21st June to 30th June, 2025 in 25M Standard Pistol (NR) Championship Men Individual and scored 240/300. It is submitted that the petitioner has registered shooter with National Rifle Association as per shooter IS No. PSHM2112198703 and registered player of Sports Authority of Telangana State Shooting range. It is further submitted that he has awarded as "ASPRING SHOOTER" and has submitted the application for fresh Arms License for possessing two weapons i.e., 1) NPB Rifle Handgun and 2) NPB Rifle with Area validity of "Throughout India" for sports purpose under Aspiring Shooter Category for Target Practice to represent Telangana State in upcoming National & Zonal Shooting Competition Championships. It is further submitted that as per Rule 14 of the Arms Rules, 2016, on receipt of an application for grant of a license, the Licensing authority shall call for a report of the officer in-charge of the nearest police station on that application and such officer shall send his report in Form S-4 within a period of 30 days from the date of receipt of application. It is further submitted that Section 37 of Arms Rules, 2016, provides that "Aspiring Shooters", including those qualifying at Sate levels and recommended by recognized rifle associations are eligible for the grant of arms for sports practice, and the SHO has to recommend for the same. It is further submitted that as the SHO has no discretionary power to deny a recommendation when the criteria under Section 37 are met. It is further submitted that the Arms (Amendment) Rules, 2020 and Ministry of Home Affairs notification S.O. 665(E) specified for the issuance of arms licenses to aspiring shooters who have met the Minimum Qualifying Scores (MQS) and obtained recommendations from the State Rifle Association and by disregarding of criteria, the respondents acted against the instructions and guidelines given by the Ministry of Home Affairs. It is further submitted that in view of the above said guidelines, petitioner has made a representation dated 31.08.2024 to the respondents to possess two weapons i.e., NPB Rifle Handgun and NPB Rifle with Area validity to “Throughout India” for sports purpose under “Aspiring Shooter Category” but respondents are no