LI Network
Published on: December 20, 2023 at 13:12 IST
In response to an arms license cancellation case involving a young lawyer, the Allahabad High Court has noted a surge in incidents of individuals carrying firearms within court premises. Despite explicit prohibitions in Rule 614-A of The General Rules (Civil) and prior directions by the Allahabad High Court, firearms were still being carried in the court premises.
Justice Pankaj Bhatia’s bench issued the following directives:
- District Judges and Judicial Officers across Uttar Pradesh must register cases under The Arms Act against any person, whether litigant or lawyer, found carrying arms within the court premises. They are to request the District Magistrate/Licensing Authority for immediate steps to cancel the arms license.
- District Judges, Judicial Officers, and Security In-Charges of District Courts must file FIRs/complaints against individuals carrying arms within the court premises. These reports are to be forwarded to the Licensing Authority for prompt cancellation of the arms license.
- The Licensing Authority under the Arms Act is mandated to take steps to cancel the arms license of any person found or alleged to be carrying arms.
- Carrying arms in the entire court premises, including common areas, courtrooms, lawyers’ chambers, bar associations, canteens, and other public spaces, constitutes a breach of ‘public peace’ or ‘public safety’ under Section 17(3)(b) of the Arms Act.
The Court instructed the Registrar General to distribute copies of the order to all concerned Judicial Officers in the state, the Secretary of Home, State of U.P., for compliance, and the Bar Council of India and the Bar Council of the State to sensitize lawyers about refraining from carrying arms within court premises.
Case Title: Amandeep Singh v. State Of U.P. Thru. Prin. Secy. Home Lko. And 2 Others [WRIT – C No. – 2461 of 2023]