VIJAY DINKARRAO PATIL Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Rule. Rule made returnable forthwith and heard finally with the consent of parties.

(2.) The challenge in both these writ petitions is to orders dated 3rd April, 2014 issued by the Additional District Magistrate, Satara directing the petitioners to deposit their licenced weapons with the concerned police station in view of then ensuing elections to the Loksabha in May,2014. Since similar issue arises in both these writ petitions they are being decided by this common judgment.

(3.) In Writ Petition No. 4171 of 2014 both the petitioners were issued licence under the Arms Act, 1959. The licences of both the petitioners were subsisting. According to the petitioners, in the first week of April,2014 they were informed by the police authorities that there was a directive from the office of the Collector for depositing their weapons with the concerned police station. On 3rd April, 2014 a communication was issued by the Additional District Magistrate, Satara respondent No.2 calling upon them to deposit their weapons with the concerned police station. According to the petitioners, they made a representation to the Sub Divisional Officer and Assistant Election Officer as well as to the Senior Inspector of Police that there was no general direction requiring all licenced holders to deposit their weapons.