Thu Nov 20 15:01:04 UTC 2025: Summary:

The Karnataka High Court ruled that police cannot deny the transfer of an arms license to a legal heir solely based on the lack of a “threat to life” to the heir. The court found the Mangaluru Police Commissioner’s decision to reject Michael Mahesh Chris Saldanha’s application twice, despite the Home Secretary’s overturning of the first rejection, to be erroneous. The court cited Rule 25(1)(b) of the Arms Rules, 2016, which allows for the transfer of a license under specific conditions related to the licensee’s age and tenure, as well as the absence of adverse police reports against the heir. With Saldanha’s father meeting the rule’s requirements, the court ordered the Commissioner to grant the license to Saldanha within four weeks.

News Article:

Karnataka High Court Orders Transfer of Arms License, Citing Lack of “Threat to Life” Insufficient Reason for Denial

Bengaluru – November 20, 2025 – In a landmark ruling, the Karnataka High Court has declared that police authorities cannot refuse the transfer of an arms license to a legal heir solely on the grounds that the heir faces no “threat to life.” The decision came in response to a petition filed by Michael Mahesh Chris Saldanha, a pilot, whose application to take over his 75-year-old father’s revolver was twice rejected by the Mangaluru Police Commissioner.

Justice Suraj Govindaraj ruled that the Commissioner erred in applying the “threat to life” criterion, as the Arms Rules, 2016, which provides specific guidelines for license transfers, does not mandate it. The court noted that Rule 25(1)(b) of the Arms Rules stipulates that a license can be transferred to a legal heir nominated by a licensee over 70 years old or who has held the firearm for 25 years, provided the heir has no adverse police record.

Saldanha’s father met these criteria, having held the license since 1971. The Home Secretary had previously overturned the initial rejection of Saldanha’s application, yet the Commissioner repeated the “no threat to life” rationale for the second rejection.

The High Court ordered the Mangaluru Police Commissioner to grant the license to Saldanha within four weeks. This decision clarifies the interpretation of the Arms Rules, ensuring that legal heirs are not unjustly denied license transfers based on unsubstantiated claims of a lack of personal danger.

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