- (1.) The petitioner was granted an arms licence in the year 1997, on the basis of which he purchased a rifle. On 23.8.1999, the petitioner was given a notice by the licensing authority to show cause why his licence should not. be cancelled. The petitioner submitted his reply. Thereafter, on 29.6.2000 the District Magistrate (the licensing authority), respondent No. 2 passed the order of cancellation of his arms licence. The appeal filed by the petitioner was also dismissed on 19.6.2003 by the Commissioner, Jhansi Division, Jhansi, respondent No. 1. Aggrieved by the aforesaid orders, the petitioner has filed this writ petition.
(2.) I have heard learned Counsel for the petitioner as well as learned Standing Counsel appearing for the respondents. Despite time having been granted on several occasions, no counter affidavit has been filed, although more than two years have passed. Accordingly, this writ petition is being heard and finally disposed of at the admission stage itself.
(3.) The arms licence of the petitioner has been cancelled primarily on two grounds. Firstly, that the petitioner did not disclose the fact that there was a criminal case pending against him; and secondly, that he did not inform that he was a permanent resident of a different village and only gave his address of the village where he was currently residing.;