Pending Challenge To Ammunition Quota Cut, MP High Court Directs Release Of 1,000 Cartridges Each To Shooters To Practice For Competitions

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has granted interim relief to a group of renowned and aspiring shooters ahead of upcoming competitions, in a writ petition challenging the reduction of their ammunition quotas.

The bench of Justice Vishal Mishra directed; 

"Under these circumstances, as a matter of interim relief and taking note of para 21 of the return, the respondents-authorities are directed to release 1000 cartridges to each one of the petitioners to enable them to practice and prepare for upcoming competitions. As soon as they exhausted the quota of 1000 cartridges, they are required to report back to the respondent No.4/Collector who will ascertain the use of cartridges and thereafter shall ensure the release of further cartridges to enable them to practice further". 

The primary petitioner, a licensed arms holder since 2017, is a registered marksman with the National Rifle Association of India and has been certified as a "Renowned Shooter". He has participated in multiple National Shooting Championships and represented India at the  ISSF Junior World Cup Shotgun in 2017.  Other aspiring shooters have also joined the petition seeking similar relief. 

Under the Arms Rule, 2016, a "Renowned Shooter" is statutorily entitled to purchase upto 50,000 cartridges at a time, subject to an annual ceiling of 1,00,000 cartridges. 

Per a gazette notification of February 12, 2020, renowned shooters could possess upto 14 firearms. The petitioner stated that all imports of ammunition were made lawfully through NRAI channels, in accordance with applicable government notification and permits. 

However, in August 2025, the petitioner received notices from the Bhopal Collector, seeking details of his firearms, ammunition purchases and participation in competitions.

According to the petition, the notices were framed as part of the license renewal process and did not indicate any proposal to reduce his ammunition quota or deregister firearms. 

Subsequently, an inquiry committee recommended reducing his quota from 50,000 cartridges at a time (up to 1,00,000 annually to 5,000 at a time (up to 10,000 annually). 

However, by order dated December 23, 2025, the Collector went further and reduced the quota to just 500 cartridges at a time, subject to a maximum of 1,000 per year and also deregistered one firearm from the petitioner's licence. 

The petition stated that the Collector had no statutory authority under the Arms Act to undertake such proceedings. The action was taken without proper notice or jurisdiction. The reduction was arbitrary and gravely prejudicial to his ability to train and compete. 

The petitioner, during the hearing, contended that due to the impugned order, the shooters were unable to practice adequately for forthcoming competitions. 

The State submitted that 1,000 cartridges would be released to each petitioner to enable them to practice. It was further stated that upon demonstrating proper utilization of the cartridges, further quantities could be released. 

Taking notice of this statement and the urgency of the upcoming competitions, the bench granted interim relief to the petitioners. The bench further directed, 

"The respondents are further directed to place on record the opinion of the Government of India regarding use of the sport category weapons as well as entitlement of the sports persons to the number of the cartridges". 

Additionally, the petitioners were directed to implead the Ministry of Home Affairs as a party to the proceedings. 

The case was listed with WP No. 41056 of 2025, a writ petition filed by renowned shooter Saniya Khan. 

Case Title: Ibrahim Javed Khan v Union of India [WP No. 3332 of 2026, WP/2268/2026, WP/2456/2026]

For Petitioners: Advocate Vishal Daniel

For Union: Advocates Arnav Tiwari and Sanjay Kumar Patel

For State: Deputy Advocate General Swapnil Ganguly

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