Allahabad HC Again Takes Aim At UP's Gun Culture; Seeks Details Of Arms Licences Held By Brij Bhushan, Others

The Allahabad High Court on Wednesday yet again took aim at the Gun Culture prevailing in the State of Uttar Pradesh as it stressed that the public display of weapons often disrupts social harmony and generates fear and insecurity among ordinary people. A bench of Justice Vinod Diwakar remarked that a society in which armed individuals assert dominance through visible force and threats does not become freer or more peaceful. "…rather, it erodes public trust, weakens the sense of safety, and disturbs civic peace…a culture that glorifies guns and intimidation cannot be regarded as conducive to a peaceful and rule-bound society", the single judge added.Noting that true self-defence is intended to preserve life and maintain order, the Court observed that weapons that become instruments of intimidation promote fear rather than genuine security. Our readers may note that this is the second time since March this year that this bench took exception to the systemic misuse of firearms to project 'power' and 'influence' in society. Earlier, on March 23, Justice Diwakar, who is hearing a case on the misuse of private firearms in the state, had opined that unregulated access to firearms poses a serious threat to society. Recalling its earlier directions, the bench noted that it had previously asked the State Government to revisit its policy relating to the grant and review of arms licences, particularly in respect of persons having criminal antecedents.Significantly, the bench had also directed all the DMs in the state to provide district-wise and police station-wise details of arms licence holders against whom two or more criminal cases have been registered, along with details of their family members holding arms licences, if any In compliance with the Court's order, the bench was apprised that the provisions of the Arms Act, 1959, and the Rules framed thereunder are not being followed in their true letter and spirit by the DMs and commissioners of Police/Senior Superintendents of Police of all 75 districts of the state. The bench was also informed that, as of date, 10,08,953 arms licences have been granted, and 20,960 families possess more than one arms licence; and in 6,062 cases, licences have been granted to persons having a criminal history involving two or more criminal cases. However, it was the stand of the UP Govt before the HC that it had adopted an extremely strict zero-tolerance policy with a view to completely eradicating the menace of public display and misuse of firearms and the glorification of criminal culture. Importantly, the bench observed that despite this stance, the local police authorities had failed to furnish details of certain influential individuals wielding "substantial social and political influence" and that relevant particulars concerning such persons had been concealed. The individuals named in the order, for whom the Court has sought arms licence information, include Sitting MLA Raghuraj Pratap Singh, former MP Dhananjay Singh and former MP Brij Bhushan Singh. Additionally, the Court has also sought details regarding Mr. Vineet Singh, Mr. Ajay Marhad, Mr. Sujit Singh Belwa, Mr. Upendra Singh Guddu, Mr. Pappu Bhaukali, Mr. Indradev Singh, Mr. Sunil Yadav, Mr. Farar Azeem, Mr. Badshah Singh, Mr. Sangram Singh , Mr. Sullu Singh, Mr. Chulbul Singh, Mr. Sunny Singh, Mr. Chhunnu Singh, and Dr. Uday Bhan Singh. The bench, however, clarified that it was not commenting upon the credentials or political and social activities of any individual. The Court also sought information with respect to certain other influential persons categorized zone-wise across Noida, Meerut, Agra, Bareilly, Lucknow, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Gorakhpur and Kanpur."The affidavit shall also specify whether any Government security has been provided to such persons and, if so, the category of security, the number of police personnel deployed, and the ranks of such personnel. The other necessary and incidental thereto information shall be appreciated in this regard", the bench ordered. With this, the bench directed that a copy of its order be sent forthwith to the Additional Chief Secretary (Home), all District Magistrates, and the Commissioners of Police/Senior Superintendents of Police of all 75 districts for strict and effective compliance.The concerned SSPs and Commissioners of Police must furnish an undertaking stating that no material information has been concealed and they shall remain personally liable for any intentional suppression of facts The matter will be heard next on May 26.

Allahabad HC Again Takes Aim At UP's Gun Culture; Seeks Details Of Arms Licences Held By Brij Bhushan, Others

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Allahabad HC Again Takes Aim At UP's Gun Culture; Seeks Details Of Arms Licences Held By Brij Bhushan, Others

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