IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA CWJC No.4854 of 2005 SHIV KUMAR Versus THE STATE OF BIHAR & ORS ----------- For the Petitioner :- Mr. Amrit Abhijat Adv. & Mr.Upendre Yadav Adv. For the Respondent :- Mr. Gyan Prakesh Ojha Adv. --------------- 2. 25.7.2008 Heard learned counsel for the parties. The petitioner seeks quashing of the letter dated 25.5.2003 (Annexure- 2) as well as letter dated 30.5.2003 (Annexure- 3) by which his N.P. Bore Rifle licence has been suspended. He further seeks a direction upon the respondent District Magistrate, Supaul to pass a reasoned order in Arms Act Case No. 2 of 2003 within a reasonable time. The show cause notice was given to the petitioner by the aforesaid letter dated 25.5.2003 which the petitioner has already replied on 5.6.2003. The said allegation of the petitioner is not denied in the counter affidavit and the only explanation given is that the progress report of six pending criminal cases against the petitioner are being obtained by respondent no. 2, Superintendent of Police as documentary evidences and for the purpose of hearing of Arms Act Case No. 02/2003 pending before the District Magistrate, Supaul. This Court does not consider keeping the licence of arms under suspension for indefinite period of time as a proper exercise of power. Having suspended the arms licence of the petitioner with a direction to deposit the arms purchased against the same, the District Magistrate ought to have proceeded in the matter expeditiously and finally - 2 - disposed of the Arms Act case. Accordingly, the writ application is disposed of with a direction to the District Magistrate, Supaul to dispose of the Arms Act Case No. 2 of 2003 within a period of four months from the receipt/production of a copy of this order. P. Kumar (Ramesh Kumar Datta, J.)