In Brief
An Advocate filed a public interest petition under Article 32 alleging that Army Personnel and State licensing authorities had illegally sold prohibited weapons and issued arms licenses without proper verification, including to persons with criminal records. After independent enquiries and affidavits from the Ministry of Defence and State of Rajasthan, the Supreme Court found that suitable disciplinary and criminal action had been taken against all erring officials and officers. The Court held that existing procedures under the Arms Act, 1959, were adequate and that the quantum of punishment imposed could not be second-guessed. The petition was disposed with an order for expeditious completion of pending proceedings and costs of Rs. 10,000 to the petitioner.
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