BHAGVANBHAI BHANABHAI SOLANKI Vs. STATE OF GUJARAT

JUDGEMENT

(1.) By this petition, the petitioner has prayed for quashing and setting aside the order dtd. 31/8/2020 passed by the Deputy Secretary, Home Department, Gandhinagar in Appeal no.HVD/4320/307/M and has also prayed for quashing and setting aside the order dtd. 18/2/2020 passed by the Additional District Magistrar, Gir Somnath. It is also urged that the respondent no.2, be directed to grant the arms license and allow the application.

(2.) Mr R.K. Mansuri, learned advocate appearing for the petitioner submitted that the order was passed on 18/2/2020, which was during the period of COVID-19. It is submitted that owing to the pandemic induced pause, even the Apex Court, has extended the limitation of filing the petition/appeal/application.

(3.) It is submitted that had the petitioner been afforded any opportunity, the petitioner, would have explained the delay sufficiently; however, the Home Department, has simply rejected the application seeking condondation of delay on the ground that the appeal was to be filed within a period of 30 days; however, the appeal, has been filed with the delay of 5 months and 7 days. Only on this limited ground, the application seeking condonation of delay, has been filed.