The Allahabad High Court expressing serious concern over the public display of firearms and the grant of arms licences to persons with criminal background, held that,
“the public display of weapons may create an illusion of dominance, strength and protection, but it often disrupts social harmony and generates fear and insecurity among ordinary people.”
The Court further remarked that,
“weapons that become instruments of intimidation promote fear rather than genuine security,” adding that “a culture that glorifies guns and intimidation cannot be regarded as conducive to a peaceful and rule-bound society.”
The order was passed by the Single Bench of Justice Vinod Diwakar while hearing a petition filed by Jai Shankar alias Barrister, who had challenged the order passed on November 20, 2025, by the Additional Commissioner, Vindhyachal Division, Mirzapur.
The petitioner argued that he is engaged in the gold jewelery business and faces security threats due to the nature of his profession.
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He submitted that although he had applied for an arms licence in 2018, the District Magistrate, Bhadohi rejected the application without properly considering the relevant facts.
His appeal was also dismissed by the appellate authority without recording any substantial or reasoned findings.
In compliance with earlier directions of the Court, the Joint Secretary of the Home Department filed an affidavit stating that District Magistrates and police authorities across all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh were not effectively implementing government orders as well as the provisions of the Arms Act, 1959 and Arms Rules, 2016.
Referring to official data placed on record, the Court noted that a total of 10,08,953 arms licences have been issued in the state so far, while 23,407 applications remain pending.
Additionally, 1,738 appeals are pending before various Commissioners. The affidavit further disclosed that 20,960 families possess more than one arms licence, and in 6,062 cases licences were issued to persons against whom two or more criminal cases are pending.
During the hearing, the Court also found that local police authorities had allegedly concealed information relating to several influential persons with political and social clout.
Seeking clarity, the Court directed the State authorities to furnish detailed information regarding several prominent individuals from different zones and commissionerates of Uttar Pradesh.
The names mentioned by the Court include Amit Kasana, Anil Bhati, Randeep Bhati and Anil Dujana from Noida Commissionerate; Madan Singh Baddo, Haji Yakub Qureshi, Haji Iqbal and Sanjeev Maheshwari from Meerut Zone; Khan Mubarak, Ajay Pratap Singh alias Ajay Sipahi and Bacchu Yadav from Lucknow Zone; Dabbu Singh alias Pradeep Singh, Baccha Pasi alias Nihal Singh and Kamarul Hasan from Prayagraj Zone; Vijay Mishra, Kuntu Singh, Abbas Ansari and Pintu Singh from Varanasi Zone; and Rajan Tiwari, Sanjeev Dwivedi alias Ramu Dwivedi and Vinod Upadhyay from Gorakhpur Zone.
The Court also sought details regarding Raghuraj Pratap Singh, Dhananjay Singh, Brij Bhushan Singh, Sushil Singh, Upendra Singh Guddu, Pappu Bhaukali, Sujeet Singh Belwa, absconding accused Azim, and Dr. Uday Bhan Singh, among others.
The Bench specifically noted that,
“The concerned S.S.P./Commissioner of Police shall also furnish an undertaking stating that no material information sought by this Court in its previous orders has been concealed and that the information furnished is true and correct as per official records. The officers concerned shall remain personally liable for any intentional suppression or concealment of material facts.”
The State has been directed to submit a detailed affidavit disclosing the arms licences issued to all such individuals, pending criminal cases against them, government security provided to them, and details of licences held by their family members. The matter has been listed for further hearing on May 26, 2026.
Case: Jai Shankar Alias Bairistar vs State of U.P. And 2 Others
Case No: Writ – C No. – 8633 of 2026
Date of Order: 20.05.2026
Status: Pending (Further Listed on 26.05.2026)
