IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA CWJC No.16151 of 2009 1. RANA SANJEEV KUMAR SINGH S/O SRI VIJAY NARAIN SINGH VILL.- NIRPUR, P.S.- ATHMALGOLA, DISTT.- PATNA Versus 1. THE STATE OF BIHAR THROUGH THE DISTRICT MAGISTRATE PATNA 2. THE SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE PATNA 3. THE RURAL SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE PATNA 4. THE DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE BARH, DISTT.- PATNA ----------- 4. 2.12.2010 Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and the State. The petitioner seeks mandamus for the grant of an Arms licence to enable him to retain the weapon of which his father was a licensee, in view of the poor paralytic condition of his father. The District Magistrate has rejected his claim by order dated 26.12.2009. The refusal of an application for grant of an Arms licence is regulated by Section 14 of the Arms Act. If a statutory functionary in exercise of its statutory powers purposes to pass an order adverse to a citizen, he is required to pass a reasoned and speaking order commensurate with his statutory powers and duties. The statutory power is not an absolute power to act in a manner of his choice unregulated by statutory requirement. The order dated 26.12.2009 being in a cyclo styled form merely 2 in the manner of “fill in the blanks” giving no reasons under which provision of Rule 14 the petitioner was not entitled to the licence, the order dated 26.12.2009 is set aside. The District Magistrate, Patna is directed to reconsider the application of the petitioner for grant of Arms licence and pass appropriate, reasoned and speaking order in accordance with law within a maximum period of six weeks from the date of receipt/production of a copy of this order. The writ application stands allowed. P. Kumar ( Navin Sinha, J.)