HC directs CoP to consider MLA's request for arms licence

Madras High Court has directed the Chennai City Commissioner of Police (CoP) to reconsider the request of an AIADMK MLA to issue him arms licence. Allowing a writ petition filed by V P Kalairajan, MLA, representing T Nagar, Justice N Paul Vasanthakumar ruled that the refusal of the city police administration to grant arms licence to him, that too without citing any specific reason, is unsustainable. Directing the CoP to consider the request of Mr Kalairajan afresh, the Judge said no adverse report, other than the three criminal cases registered against him for his participation in political agitations, is available against the MLA. ''Mere involvement in criminal cases is not a disqualification for getting firearms licence to possess a revolver,'' the Judge added. Mr Kalairajan had applied for arms licence on November 1, 2006 and it was rejected in December 2007, on the grounds that three criminal cases were pending against him. All three cases registered against the MLA pertain to public demonstration and agitations. He has been booked on charges of ''unlawful assembly,'' ''wrongful restrain'' and for ''obstructing a public authority from discharging his duty.'' In his petition, Mr Kalairajan submitted that his ancestral house in Thanjavur, was ransacked and his aged father was injured in an attack allegedly by the ruling DMK men. Apprehending danger to his life, he sought licence to possess revolver for self-protection. While passing the orders the Judge, referring to the grounds enumerated in Section 14 of the Arms Act to reject application for licence, said the commissioner's order did not refer to any conditions specified in the provision. 'Only if a person was convicted in a criminal case, could the licence be suspended or revoked,' the Judge said and ruled that the CoP's order was unsustainable. The Judge directed the commissioner to consider the petition of the legislator afresh and pass the orders within four seeks.

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