- 1 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010517052026 NC: 2026:KHC:49027 WP No. 23297 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 8TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE C.M. POONACHA WRIT PETITION NO. 23297 OF 2026 (GM-RES) BETWEEN: SRI. SHARATH D.V, S/O SRI. VENKATARAMANA BHAT D, AGED ABOUT 35 YEARS, RESIDING AT NO. 1-181, MATHASHRI KRIPA, IDKIDU VILLAGE, BANTWAL TALUK, DAKSHINA KANNADA DISTRICT. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. MUKUND PRASAD, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA REPRESENTED BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF HOME AFFAIRS, VIDHANA SOUDHA, BENGALURU - 560 001. 2. THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER AND DISTRICT MAGISTRATE, DAKSHINA KANNADA DISTRICT, DISTRICT ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLEX, 1ST FLOOR, PADIL, MANGALURU - 575 007. 3. THE SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE PANDESHWARA, MANGALURU, DAKSHINA KANNADA DISTRICT - 575 001. - 2 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010517052026 NC: 2026:KHC:49027 WP No. 23297 of 2026 4. THE TAHASILDAR AND TALUK EXECUTIVE MAGISTRATE BANTWAL TALUK, TALUK OFFICE, BANTWAL, DAKSHINA KANNADA - 574 219. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. SHIVAREDDY V, AGA FOR R1 TO R4) THIS WP IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO DIRECTING THE RESPONDENT NO. 2 TO IMMEDIATELY CONSIDER AND PASS FINAL ORDERS ON THE PETITIONER'S APPLICATION FOR AN ARMS LICENSE UNDER FORM A-1 (ANNEXURE A) DT 10/11/25 TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE FAVORABLE RECOMMENDATION OF THE TAHSILDAR DATED 19.09.2025 (ANNEXURE D) BEARING NO. EDS NO. A.R.M.C.R. 34/23-24/B510095 WITHIN A TIME-BOUND PERIOD OF 4 WEEKS. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING IN 'B' GROUP, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE C.M. POONACHA ORAL ORDER The present writ petition is filed seeking for the following reliefs:- "a. Issue a Writ of Mandamus or any other appropriate Writ, Order or Direction, directing the Digitally Signed by CHEPPUDIRA MONNAPPA POONACHA - 3 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010517052026 NC: 2026:KHC:49027 WP No. 23297 of 2026 respondent No.2 to immediately consider and pass final orders on the petitioner's application for an Arms License under Form A-1 (Annexure-A) dated 10.11.2025 taking into account the favourable recommendation of the Tahsildar dated 19.09.2025 (Annexure-D), bearing No.EDS No.A.R.M.C.R. 34/2023-24/ESI0095 within a time-bound period of 4 weeks. b. Grant such other alternative or consequential reliefs as this Hon'ble Court deems fit in the interest of justice. c. Grant cost of the litigation." 2. The petitioner seeks consideration of his application dated 10.11.2025 for an Arms License in Form A-1 (Annexure-A to the writ petition). 3. It is the case of the petitioner that the 4th respondent-Tahasildar vide communication dated 19.09.2025 (Annexure-D to the writ petition), recommended consideration of the application of the petitioner. However, it is the contention of the petitioner that the same not having been considered by the 2nd respondent-Deputy Commissioner & District Magistrate, Digitally Signed by CHEPPUDIRA MONNAPPA POONACHA - 4 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010517052026 NC: 2026:KHC:49027 WP No. 23297 of 2026 the petitioner is entitled for reliefs sought for in the present writ petition. 4. Learned AGA pointing out to the communication dated 21.05.2026 of the Deputy Commissioner, (Annexure-E to the writ petition) submits that the Deputy Commissioner has not noticed any threat to the life of the petitioner requiring for an Arms License. It is further submitted by the learned AGA that an appeal remedy is available to the petitioner under Section 18 of the Arms Act, 1959. 5. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that there has been no rejection of the application of the petitioner by the 2nd respondent-Deputy Commissioner. 6. However, having regard to the nature of the communication dated 21.05.2026 it is expedient that the present writ petition be disposed of reserving liberty to the petitioner to avail the remedy of appeal under the provisions of the Arms Act, 1959. Digitally Signed by CHEPPUDIRA MONNAPPA POONACHA - 5 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010517052026 NC: 2026:KHC:49027 WP No. 23297 of 2026 7. All contentions of the petitioner on the merits of the matter are kept open. (C.M. POONACHA) JUDGE VS List No.: 1 Sl No.: 123 Digitally Signed by CHEPPUDIRA MONNAPPA POONACHA