THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE C.V.NAGARJUNA REDDY WRIT PETITION No.24974 of 2005 Date: 22.08.2007 Between: S. Chandra Sekhar Reddy … Petitioner AND The District Collector, Kurnool District and another. … Respondents Counsel for the petitioner : Sri K. Rathanga Pani Reddy THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE C.V.NAGARJUNA REDDY WRIT PETITION No.24974 of 2005 ORDER:- This writ petition is filed questioning the proceedings dated 31.08.2005 of respondent No.1 made in Rc.C6.173/M/2004, whereby the petitioner’s application for grant of arms license has been rejected. It is not disputed by Sri K. Rathangapani Reddy, learned counsel for the petitioner that under Section 18 of the Arms Act, 1959 read with Rule 5, the petitioner has a right of filing appeal to the competent authority against the order impugned in this writ petition. In view of the availability of alternative remedy and in the absence of any reasons given for bypassing an effective alternative remedy of appeal, I am not inclined to adjudicate the writ petition on merits. The writ petition is therefore dismissed leaving the petitioner free to avail the remedy of appeal before the competent authority. No costs. It is, however, made clear that the petitioner can seek condonation of delay in filing the appeal and the competent authority, while considering such application, shall keep in view the fact that the petitioner has availed the remedy of writ petition. ____________________________ C.V.NAGARJUNA REDDY, J Date: 22.08.2007 ES