HIGH COURT FOR THE STATE OF TELANGANA AT HYDERABAD THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE VAKITI RAMAKRISHNA REDDY WRIT PETITION No.42069 of 2015 Date: 16.03.2026 Between:

K. Ganesh Rao … Petitioner And The State of Telangana, Represented by its Principal Secretary, Home Department (Arms), Secretariat, Hyderabad and three others … Respondents

ORDER

The present writ petition is filed seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus declaring the Proceedings No.H1/90/2008, dated 07.11.2013, issued by the 2^nd Respondent, whereby the renewal of the petitioner’s Arms Licence bearing No. 1/2003, was rejected, as illegal, arbitrary, irrational, without proper application of mind, actuated by malafides, and in violation of fundamental and Constitutional Rights guaranteed under Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution of India. Consequently, the petitioner seeks to set- aside the said proceedings and to direct the 2^nd respondent to renew the petitioner’s Arms licence besides passing such other order or orders as are deemed fit and proper in the circumstances of the case.

BRIEF FACTS

2. The brief facts of the case are that the petitioner is a citizen of India, residing at Mahabubnagar Town and District, and is serving as the General Secretary of Mahabubnagar District Palamoori Migrant Labour Union, a trade union registered under the Trade Unions Act, 1926, bearing Registration No. A-1868 of the year 1991. Since its inception, the Union has been working for the welfare of un-organised migrant labourers engaged in the construction industry. In recognition of the petitioner’s contribution towards the welfare of migrant labourers, the then Government of Andhra Pradesh honoured him with the prestigious “Shramashakthi Award” on 01.05.2010.

3. Mahabubnagar District is one of the most backward and drought-prone districts in India with poor socio-economic indicators and lack of irrigation facilities. Due to recurring droughts and limited agricultural opportunities, large-scale seasonal migration of labourers, popularly known as “Palamoori Labourers,” has become inevitable. These labourers, predominantly belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, are often exploited by contractors across various States. The petitioner’s Union actively works across regions to safeguard their minimum wages, provision of basic amenities and protection of their legal entitlements, often resorting to judicial remedies where administrative mechanisms fail. Due to his extensive involvement in trade union activities and advocacy for migrant labourers, the petitioner has been exposed to serious threats from contractors, rival unions, political elements and antisocial forces.

4. In view of the grave threat to his life, the petitioner applied for grant of an Arms licence for self-defence. After due verification and upon recommendations of the competent authorities, the respondent No.2 granted Arms Licence bearing No.1/2003 on 12.03.2003 in favour of the petitioner. The licence was renewed periodically and remained valid up to 31.12.2006. During the entire period of its validity, the petitioner never misused the weapon nor violated any licence conditions and no criminal case or complaint was ever registered against him.

5. The petitioner applied for renewal of the Arms licence on 27.12.2006 by following due procedure and paying the prescribed fee. As no decision was taken, the petitioner approached this Court by filing W.P. No.5795 of 2007, which was disposed of with a direction to the respondents to consider the application made by the petitioner. However, the renewal was rejected on 19.05.2007 citing non-recommendation by the police authorities. Subsequent writ petitions and statutory appeals preferred by the petitioner came to be rejected mechanically despite absence of any material indicating misuse of the weapon.

6. Ultimately, in W.P. No.18971 of 2010, this Court by order dated 24.04.2013 held that there was no material to establish misuse of the weapon by the petitioner and directed the