Mandamus issued directing licensing authority to pass final orders on gun license renewal within eight weeks.

The Petitioner filed a Writ of Mandamus seeking a direction to the respondents to renew his gun license (No. 21196/PLN II) following a representation submitted on 20.11.2025.

The license renewal covers the period from 01.01.2026 to 31.12.2030.

During the proceedings, the 1st Respondent (District Collector) submitted that reports from the Superintendent of Police and the Revenue Divisional Officer had already been received, but the final processing was delayed due to the General Elections and the prevailing Model Code of Conduct.

Whether the court should issue a direction to the licensing authority to pass final orders on the pending gun license renewal application within a specific timeframe.

The court exercised its discretionary jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue a Writ of Mandamus for the enforcement of a public duty.

The court relied on the principle that once the necessary statutory reports (from police and revenue officials) are obtained, the licensing authority is duty-bound to pass a final order on the merits of the application in accordance with the law.

The court noted the 1st Respondent's acknowledgement that the essential investigative reports required for the renewal of the gun license were already in their possession.

While the respondent sought to defer the decision until after the General Elections and the expiration of the Model Code of Conduct, the court found it appropriate to provide a clear timeline for the resolution of the matter.

By directing the 1st Respondent to act within eight weeks, the court ensured that the administrative delay caused by election protocols would not indefinitely stall the petitioner’s statutory right to have his application considered.

The court specified that the order must be passed in the "manner known to law" and dispensed with the requirement of waiting for a certified copy.

No costs were awarded.