- 1 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010049752025 NC: 2026:KHC:37119 WP No. 2709 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 17TH DAY OF JULY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURAJ GOVINDARAJ WRIT PETITION NO. 2709 OF 2025 (GM-RES) BETWEEN: 1. M/S GANDIVA AERO PNEUMATIC RESEARCH AND EQUIPMENTS PVT LTD, REGISTERED UNDER COMPANIES ACT, 2013 OFFICE AT NO.21, GROUND FLOOR, TKM MAIN ROAD, MEDANAHALLI, BIDADI, RAMANAGARA-562109 …PETITIONER (BY SRI. SREEVATSA SUBRAMANIAN, SENIOR ADVOCATE FOR SRI.NISHAD K, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. ADDITIONAL CHIEF SECRETARY HOME DEPARTMENT, VIDHANA SOUDHA, BANGALORE-560001 2. DISTRICT COMMISSIONER VIJAYA NAGAR, RAMANAGARA-562159 …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI.SHAMANTH NAIK., AGA) Digitally signed by SHWETHA RAGHAVENDRA Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010049752025 NC: 2026:KHC:37119 WP No. 2709 of 2025 THIS WP IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO QUASHING THE IMPUGNED ORDER IN ANNEXURE H AND DIRECT THE RESPONDENT NO.1 TO ISSUE THE PETITIONERS ARMS LICENSE IN FORM VII-C FOR MANUFACTURE OF AIR WEAPONS FOR MANUFACTURE OF AIR WEAPONS IN 0.177/4.5MM CALIBER UNDER 20J/15FT LBS AS SOUGHT BY THE PETITIONER IN ANNEXURE B. THIS WRIT PETITION IS COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING 'B' GROUP, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURAJ GOVINDARAJ ORAL ORDER 1. The petitioner is before this Court seeking for the following reliefs: "(a) Issue writ in the nature of mandamus direct the respondent No.1 to issue the petitioner's Arms License in Form VII-C for manufacture of Air Weapons for manufacture of Air Weapons in 0.177"/4.5 mm caliber under 20J/15ft LBS as sought by the petitioner in Annexure-B dated 30.05.2023 and quashing the impugned endorsement dated 24.09.2024 HD/372/KAA/2023 vide Annexure-H; - 3 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010049752025 NC: 2026:KHC:37119 WP No. 2709 of 2025 (b) Pass such other orders or directions in favour of the petitioner that this Hon'ble Court deems fit, in the interest of justice and equity." 2. The grievance of the petitioner is that the application filed on 30.05.2023 seeking the grant of a licence in Form VII- C for the manufacture of air weapons has not been considered. Although submissions were made regarding the petitioner's failure to obtain plan sanction and the conversion of the land for non-agricultural purposes, the fact remains that the present writ petition seeks only a writ of mandamus directing consideration of the application. If the respondents have any grounds to reject the application, such reasons must be recorded in an appropriate order so as to enable the petitioner to avail of such legal remedies as may be available. An application filed on 30.05.2023 could not have been kept pending for more than three years. In these circumstances, this Court passes the following: - 4 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010049752025 NC: 2026:KHC:37119 WP No. 2709 of 2025 ORDER i. The writ petition is allowed. ii. A writ of mandamus is issued directing Respondent No. 1 to consider the petitioner's application dated 30.05.2023 (Annexure-B) and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. iii. It is made clear that this Court has not expressed any opinion on the merits of the petitioner's entitlement and the same shall be considered in accordance with law. Sd/- (SURAJ GOVINDARAJ) JUDGE AG List No.: 1 Sl No.: 30