IN THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATE OF TELANGANA AT HYDERABAD THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE E.V.VENUGOPAL WRIT PETITION No.1448 of 2026 Dated: 31.03.2026 Between:

Syed Akhtar … Petitioner And The State of Telangana, Rep., by its Principal Secretary, Home Department, Secretariat, Hyderabad and four others … Respondents

ORDER

This writ petition is filed with the following prayer: ‘‘… to issue an Order, Direction or Writ, more in the nature of a Writ of Certiorarised Mandamus declaring the revocation/cancellation orders passed by the respondent No.3 in proceedings bearing No. HCP/HSWZ- 2/Arms/318/Humayun Nagar dated 28.04.2025 whereby the arms license bearing No.318 belonging to Petitioner covering two weapons namely (1) 32 NPB Revolver No. ACE-0731 and (2) 22 NPB SB Rifle No.119033 granted under self-protection category with “all India validity” upto 31.12.2026 was revoked and further direction to sell the above two weapons on or before 90 days from 28.07.2025 and to submit the sale particular along with original arms license book as illegal arbitrary, high-handed, violative of principles of natural justice apart from being violative of Article 14 and 21 of Constitution of India contrary to the provisions of Section 17 of Arms Act and consequently to set aside the proceedings bearing No. HCP/HSWZ- 2/Arms/318/Humayun Nagar dated 28.04.2025 passed by Respondent No 3 and pass such other order or orders…”

2. Heard Mr.T.Bala Mohan Reddy, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr.M.Srinivas, learned Assistant Government Pleader for Home representing learned Government Pleader for Home appearing for respondents. Perused the record.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is engaged in real estate business and undertaking various projects at Hyderabad. During the course of business, the petitioner used to receive multiple threats from various people and as a protective measure, he obtained Arms license during the year 1995 vide license bearing No.AL No.318/Humayun Nagar. The said license was granted for a limited period and extended from time to time. The latest extension was on 01.01.2022 for a further period of five (5) years and valid upto 31.12.2026. This renewal was granted vide renewal sheet bearing ENDT No.L&O/Arms-

3/0534/2022, dated 12.08.2022.

4. It is further submitted that after obtaining the Arms license, the petitioner has not violated any conditions laid down under the provisions of the Arms Act, 1959 and the Arms Rules 2016. On 11.02.2025, one Shakeel Ali Khan filed a complaint against the petitioner and three others before respondent No.5 for the offences punishable under Sections 318(4), 351(1), 118(1) and 3(5) of BNS, 2023. Later, the same was compromised by Award dated 14.06.2025 before the Lok Adalat convened by the Metropolitan Legal Services Authority Hyderabad under the provisions of Section 21 of Legal Services Authorities Act and Crime No.29 of 2025 was closed as compromised noting that no criminal proceedings are pending against the petitioner. While so, respondent No.5 directed the petitioner to deposit the weapons and the petitioner had deposited the weapons during February, 2025. Thereafter, respondent No.3 had served the proceedings bearing No.HCP/HSWZ-2/Arms/318/Humayun Nagar dated 28.04.2025 upon the petitioner directing him to sell the two weapons namely 32 PNB Revolver No.ACE-0731 and 22 NSP SB Rifle No.119033 covered under the above Arms license to any authorized Arms dealer or Valid Arms License holder, within a period of (90) days i.e., on or before 28.07.2025. Failing which, the said weapons will be forfeited as per the provisions of the Arms Rules. Aggrieved by the same, the petitioner preferred the present Writ Petition.

5. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner was neither put to any notice nor given an opportunity to submit his explanation before passing the impugned order dated 28.04.2025 and purely basing on the letter dated 12.02.2025 submitted by respo