SANGHARSH DIVAKAR PETKAR Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The challenge in this petition is to the order dated 10 th August 2021 passed by the Divisional Commissioner Kokan Division, Mumbai in Appeal No.17 of 2021, confirming order dtd. 24/12/2020 passed by the Collector, Ratnagiri, District Ratnagiri rejecting petitioner's application for grant of arms licence for possession of rifle in "Form II, III and IV of Rule 11 and Schedule III of Part II of Form A-I of the Arms Act, 1959. The reason for possessing a firearm was to protect himself and his family members and consider the nature of his business as an estate agent, which requires carrying cash to facilitate day-to-day transactions. Another reason for holding a firearm is for crop protection of his agricultural land.

(2.) Respondent No.3, by order dated 24 th December 2020, refused to grant a licence to the petitioner on the following grounds:

(3.) Respondent No.2, by order dtd. 11/8/2021, confirmed the order of respondent No.3. Therefore, the petitioner has filed the present petition.