THE ARMS ACT, 1959

ACT NO. 54 OF 1959

[ 23r d December , 1959. ]
An Act t o consol i dat e and amend t he l aw r el at i ng t o ar ms and
ammuni t i on.


CHAP

PRELI MI NARY


CHAPTER I

PRELI MI NARY


1.

Shor t t i t l e, ext ent and commencement .


1. Shor t t i t l e, ext ent and commencement . - ( 1) Thi s Act may be
cal l ed t he Ar ms Act , 1959.

( 2) I t ext ends t o t he whol e of I ndi a.

( 3) I t shal l come i nt o f or ce on such dat e 1* as t he Cent r al
Gover nment may, by not i f i cat i on i n t he Of f i ci al Gezet t e, appoi nt .


2.

Def i ni t i on and i nt er pr et at i on.


2. Def i ni t i on and i nt er pr et at i on. - ( 1) I n t hi s Act , unl ess t he
cont ext ot her wi se r equi r es, - -

( a) " acqui si t i on" , wi t h i t s gr ammat i cal var i at i ons and
cognat e expr essi ons, i ncl udes hi r i ng, bor r owi ng, or
accept i ng as a gi f t ;

( b) " ammuni t i on" means ammuni t i on f or any f i r ear m, and
i ncl udes- -

( i ) r ocket s, bombs, gr enades, shel l s [ and
ot her mi ssi l es] 2*

( i i ) ar t i cl es, desi gned f or t or pedo ser vi ce
and submar i ne mi ni ng,

( i i i ) ot her ar t i cl es cont ai ni ng, or desi gned
or adapt ed t o cont ai n, expl osi ve, f ul mi nat i ng or
f i ssi onabl e mat er i al or noxi ous l i qui d, gas or
ot her such t hi ng, whet her capabl e of use wi t h
f i r ear ms or not ,
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
1. 1st Oct ober , 1962, vi de Not i f i cat i on No. G. S. R. 992, dat ed 13- 7-
1962, see Gazet t e of I ndi a, Pt . I I , Sec. 3( i ) , p. 1092.
Thi s Act has been ext ended t o- -
Goa, Daman and Di u wi t h modi f i cat i ons by Reg. 12 of 1962, s. 3
and Sch. ; and comes i nt o f or ce i n Pondi cher r y vi de Reg. 7 of
1963, s.
3 and Sch. I ( w. e. f . 1- 10- 1963) ;
and br ought i nt o f or ce i n Dadr a and Nagar Havel i by Reg. 6 of
1963, s. 2 and Sch. I ( w. e. f . 1- 7- 1965) ;
Si ki mvi de Not i f i cat i on No. G. S. R. 461 ( E) , dat ed 21- 7- 1976
( w. e. f . 1- 8- 1976) .
2. Subs. by Act 42 of 1988, s. 2, f or " and ot her l i ke mi ssi l es"
( w. e. f . 27- 5- 1988) .

34

( i v) char ges f or f i r ear ms and accessor i es f or
such char ges,

( v) f uses and f r i ct i on t ubes,

( vi ) par t s of , and machi ner y f or
manuf act ur i ng ammuni t i on, and

( vi i ) such i ngr edi ent s of ammuni t i on as t he
Cent r al Gover nment may, by not i f i cat i on i n t he
Of f i ci al Gazet t e, speci f y i n t hi s behal f ;

( c) " ar ms" means ar t i cl es of any descr i pt i on desi gned or
adapt ed as weapons f or of f ence or def ence, and i ncl udes
f i r ear ms, shar pedged and ot her deadl y weapons, and
par t s of , and machi ner y f or manuf act ur i ng, ar ms, but
does not i ncl ude ar t i cl es desi gned sol el y f or domest i c
or agr i cul t ur al uses such as a l at hi or an or di nar y
wal ki ng st i ck and weapons i ncapabl e of bei ng used
ot her wi se t han as t oys or of bei ng conver t ed i nt o
ser vi ceabl e weapons;

1*[ ( d) " di st r i ct magi st r at e" , i n r el at i on t o any ar ea f or
whi ch a Commi ssi oner of Pol i ce has been appoi nt ed,
means t he Commi ssi oner of Pol i ce t her eof and i ncl udes
any such Deput y Commi ssi oner of Pol i ce, exer ci si ng
j ur i sdi ct i on over t he whol e or any par t of such ar ea,
as may be speci f i ed by t he St at e Gover nment i n t hi s
behal f i n r el at i on t o such ar ea or par t ; ]

( e) " f i r ear ms" means ar ms of any descr i pt i on desi gned or
adapt ed t o di schar ge a pr oj ect i l e or pr oj ect i l es of any
ki nd by t he act i on of any expl osi ve or ot her f or ms of
ener gy, and i ncl udes- -

( i ) ar t i l l er y, hand- gr enades, r i ot - pi st ol s or
weapons of any ki nd desi gned or adapt ed f or t he
di schar ge of any noxi ous l i qui d, gas or ot her such
t hi ng,

( i i ) accessor i es f or any such f i r ear m
desi gned or adapt ed t o di mi ni sh t he noi se or f l ash
caused by t he f i r i ng t her eof ,

( i i i ) par t s of , and machi ner y f or
manuf act ur i ng, f i r ear ms, and

( i v) car r i ages, pl at f or ms and appl i ances f or
mount i ng, t r anspor t i ng and ser vi ng ar t i l l er y.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
1. Subs. by Act 55 of 1971, s. 2, f or t he f or mer cl . ( d) ( w. e. f . 13-
12- 1971) .

34A

( f ) " l i censi ng aut hor i t y" means an of f i cer or aut hor i t y
empower ed t o gr ant or r enew l i cences under r ul es made
under t hi s Act , and i ncl udes t he Gover nment ;

1*[ ( f f ) " magi st r at e" means an Execut i ve Magi st r at e under t he
Code of Cr i mi nal Pr ocedur e, 1973 ( 2 of 1974) ; ]

( g) " pr escr i bed" means pr escr i bed by r ul es made under t hi s
Act ,

( h) " pr ohi bi t ed ammuni t i on" means any ammuni t i on cont ai ni ng
or desi gned or adapt ed t o cont ai n, any noxi ous l i qui d,
gas or ot her such t hi ng, and i ncl udes r ocket s, bombs,
gr enades, shel l s, 2*[ mi ssi l es] ar t i cl es desi gned f or
t or pedo ser vi ce and submar i ne mi ni ng and such ot her
ar t i cl es as t he Cent r al Gover nment may, by not i f i cat i on
i n t he Of f i ci al Gazet t e, speci f y t o be pr ohi bi t ed
ammuni t i on;

( i ) " pr ohi bi t ed ar ms" means- -

( i ) f i r ear ms so desi gned or adapt ed t hat , i f
pr essur e i s appl i ed t o t he t r i gger , mi ssi l es
cont i nue t o be di s-
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
1. I ns. by Act 25 of 1983, s. 2 ( w. e. f . 22- 6- 1983) .
2. I ns. by Act 42 of 1988, s. 2 ( w. e. f . 27- 5- 1988) .

35

char ged unt i l pr essur e i s r emoved f r omt he t r i gger
or t he magazi ne cont ai ni ng t he mi ssi l es i s empt y,
or

( i i ) weapons of any descr i pt i on desi gned or
adapt ed f or t he di schar ge of any noxi ous l i qui d,
gas or ot her such t hi ng,

and i ncl udes ar t i l l er y, ant i - ai r cr af t and ant i - t ank f i r ear ms and such
ot her ar ms as t he Cent r al Gover nment may, by not i f i cat i on i n t he
Of f i ci al Gazet t e, speci f y t o be pr ohi bi t ed ar ms;

( j ) " publ i c ser vant " has t he same meani ng as i n sect i on 21
of t he I ndi an Penal Code; ( 45 of 1860. )

( k) " t r ansf er " , wi t h i t s gr ammat i cal var i at i ons and cognat e
expr essi ons, i ncl udes l et t i ng on hi r e, l endi ng, gi vi ng
and par t i ng wi t h possessi on.

( 2) For t he pur poses of t hi s Act , t he l engt h of t he bar r el of a
f i r ear mshal l be measur ed f r omt he muzzl e t o t he poi nt at whi ch t he
char ge i s expl oded on f i r i ng.

( 3) Any r ef er ence i n t hi s Act t o any l aw whi ch i s not i n f or ce i n
any ar ea shal l , i n r el at i on t o t hat ar ea, be const r ued as a r ef er ence
t o t he cor r espondi ng l aw, i f any, i n f or ce i n t hat ar ea.

( 4) Any r ef er ence i n t hi s Act t o any of f i cer or aut hor i t y shal l ,
i n r el at i on t o any ar ea i n whi ch t her e i s no of f i cer or aut hor i t y wi t h
t he same desi gnat i on, be const r ued as a r ef er ence t o such of f i cer or
aut hor i t y as may be speci f i ed by t he Cent r al Gover nment by
not i f i cat i on i n t he Of f i ci al Gazet t e.


CHAP

ACQUI SI TI ON, POSSESSI ON, MANUFACTURE, SALE, I MPORT, EXPORT
ANDTRANSPORT
OF ARMS AND AMMUNI TI ON


CHAPTER I I

ACQUI SI TI ON, POSSESSI ON, MANUFACTURE, SALE, I MPORT, EXPORT AND
TRANSPORT OF ARMS AND AMMUNI TI ON


3.

Li cence f or acqui si t i on and possessi on of f i r e- ar ms and ammuni t i on.


3. Li cence f or acqui si t i on and possessi on of f i r e- ar ms and
ammuni t i on. - 1*[ ( 1) No per son shal l acqui r e, have i n hi s possessi on, or
car r y any f i r ear mor ammuni t i on unl ess he hol ds i n t hi s behal f a
l i cence i ssued i n accor dance wi t h t he pr ovi si ons of t hi s Act and t he
r ul es made t her eunder :

Pr ovi ded t hat a per son may, wi t hout hi msel f hol di ng a l i cence,
car r y any f i r ear mor ammuni t i on i n t he pr esence, or under t he wr i t t en
aut hor i t y, of t he hol der of t he l i cence f or r epai r or f or r enewal of
t he l i cence or f or use by such hol der .

2*[ ( 2) Not wi t hst andi ng anyt hi ng cont ai ned i n sub- sect i on ( 1) , no
per son, ot her t han a per son r ef er r ed t o i n sub- sect i on ( 3) , shal l
acqui r e, have i n hi s possessi on or car r y, at any t i me, mor e t han t hr ee
f i r ear ms:

Pr ovi ded t hat a per son who has i n hi s possessi on mor e f i r ear ms
t han t hr ee at t he commencement of t he Ar ms ( Amendment ) Act , 1983, may
r et ai n wi t h hi many t hr ee of such f i r ear ms and shal l deposi t , wi t hi n
ni net y days f r omsuch commencement , t he r emai ni ng f i r ear ms wi t h t he
of f i cer i n char ge of t he near est pol i ce st at i on or , subj ect t o t he
condi t i ons pr escr i bed f or t he pur poses of sub- sect i on ( 1) of sect i on
21, wi t h a l i censed deal er or , wher e such per son i s a member of t he
ar med f or ces of t he Uni on, i n a uni t ar mour y r ef er r ed t o i n t hat sub-
sect i on.

( 3) Not hi ng cont ai ned i n sub- sect i on ( 2) shal l appl y t o any
deal er i n f i r ear ms or t o any member of a r i f l e cl ub or r i f l e
associ at i on l i censed or r ecogni sed by t he Cent r al Gover nment usi ng a
poi nt 22 bor e r i f l e or an ai r r i f l e f or t ar get pr act i ce.

( 4) The pr ovi si ons of sub- sect i ons ( 2) t o ( 6) ( bot h i ncl usi ve) of
sect i on 21 shal l appl y i n r el at i on t o any deposi t of f i r ear ms under
t he pr ovi so t o sub- sect i on ( 2) as t hey appl y i n r el at i on t o t he
deposi t of any ar m or ammuni t i on under sub- sect i on ( 1) of t hat
sect i on. " ]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
1. S. 3 r enumber ed as sub- sect i on ( 1) by Act 25 of 1983, s. 3
( w. e. f .
22- 6- 83) .
2. I ns. by s. 3, i bi d. ( w. e. f . 22- 6- 1983) .

36


4.

Li cence f or acqui si t i on and possessi on of ar ms of
speci f i eddescr i pt i on i n cer t ai n cases.


4. Li cence f or acqui si t i on and possessi on of ar ms of speci f i ed
descr i pt i on i n cer t ai n cases. - I f t he Cent r al Gover nment i s of opi ni on
t hat havi ng r egar d t o t he ci r cumst ances pr evai l i ng i n any ar ea i t i s
necessar y or expedi ent i n t he publ i c i nt er est t hat t he acqui si t i on,
possessi on or car r yi ng of ar ms ot her t han f i r ear ms shoul d al so be
r egul at ed, i t may, by not i f i cat i on i n t he Of f i ci al Gazet t e, di r ect
t hat t hi s sect i on shal l appl y t o t he ar ea speci f i ed i n t he
not i f i cat i on, and t her eupon no per son shal l acqui r e, have i n hi s
possessi on or car r y i n t hat ar ea ar ms of such cl ass or descr i pt i on as
may be speci f i ed i n t hat not i f i cat i on unl ess he hol ds i n t hi s behal f a
l i cence i ssued i n accor dance wi t h t he pr ovi si ons of t hi s Act and t he
r ul es made t her eunder .


5.

Li cence f or manuf act ur e, sal e, et c. , of ar ms and ammuni t i on.


5. Li cence f or manuf act ur e, sal e, et c. , of ar ms and ammuni t i on.
1*[ ( 1) ] No per son shal l - -

( a) 2*[ use, manuf act ur e] sel l , t r ansf er , conver t , r epai r ,
t est or pr ove, or

( b) expose or of f er f or sal e or t r ansf er or have i n hi s
possessi on f or sal e, t r ansf er , conver si on, r epai r , t est
or pr oof ,

any f i r ear m or any ot her ar ms of such cl ass or descr i pt i on as may be
pr escr i bed or any ammuni t i on, unl ess he hol ds i n t hi s behal f a l i cence
i ssued i n accor dance wi t h t he pr ovi si ons of t hi s Act and t he r ul es
made t her eunder :

3* * * * *

4*[ ( 2) Not wi t hst andi ng anyt hi ng cont ai ned i n sub- sect i on ( 1) a
per son may, wi t hout hol di ng a l i cence i n t hi s behal f , sel l or t r ansf er
any ar ms or ammuni t i on whi ch he l awf ul l y possesses f or hi s own pr i vat e
use t o anot her per son who i s ent i t l ed by vi r t ue of t hi s Act or any
ot her l aw f or t he t i me bei ng i n f or ce t o have, or i s not pr ohi bi t ed by
t hi s Act or such ot her l aw f r omhavi ng i n hi s possessi on such ar ms or
ammuni t i on:

Pr ovi ded t hat no f i r ear mor ammuni t i on i n r espect of whi ch a
l i cence i s r equi r ed under sect i on 3 and no ar ms i n r espect of whi ch a
l i cence i s r equi r ed under sect i on 4 shal l be so sol d or t r ansf er r ed by
any per son unl ess- -

( a) he has i nf or med i n wr i t i ng t he di st r i ct magi st r at e
havi ng j ur i sdi ct i on or t he of f i cer i n char ge of t he near est
pol i ce st at i on of hi s i nt ent i on t o sel l or t r ansf er such
f i r ear ms, ammuni t i on or ot her ar ms and t he name and addr ess of
t he per son t o whomhe i nt ends t o sel l or t r ansf er such f i r ear ms,
ammuni t i on or t he ot her ar ms, and

( b) a per i od of not l ess t han f or t y- f i ve days has expi r ed
af t er t he gi vi ng of such i nf or mat i on. ]


6.

Li cence f or t he shor t eni ng of guns or conver si on of i mi t at i on
f i r ear msi nt o
f i r ear ms.


6. Li cence f or t he shor t eni ng of guns or conver si on of i mi t at i on
f i r ear ms i nt o f i r ear ms. - No per son shal l shor t en t he bar r el of a
f i r ear mor conver t an i mi t at i on f i r ear mi nt o a f i r ear munl ess he hol ds
i n t hi s behal f a l i cence i ssued i n accor dance wi t h t he pr ovi si ons of
t hi s Act and t he r ul es made t her eunder .
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
1. S. 5 r enumber ed as sub- sect i on ( 1) by Act 25 of 1983, s. 4
( w. e. f .
22- 6- 1983) .
2. Subs. by Act 42 of 1988, s. 3, f or " manuf aact ur e" ( w. e. f .
27- 5- 1988) .

3. The pr ovi so omi t t ed by Act 25 of 1983, s. 4 ( w. e. f . 22- 6- 83) .
4. I ns. by s. 4, i bi d. ( w. e. f . 22- 6- 1983) .


37

Expl anat i on. - - I n t hi s sect i on, t he expr essi on " i mi t at i on f i r ear m"
means anyt hi ng whi ch has t he appear ance of bei ng a f i r ear m, whet her i t
i s capabl e of di schar gi ng any shot , bul l et or ot her mi ssi l e or not .


7.

Pr ohi bi t i on of acqui si t i on or possessi on, or of manuf act ur e or sal e, of
pr ohi bi t ed ar ms or pr ohi bi t ed ammuni t i on.


7. Pr ohi bi t i on of acqui si t i on or possessi on, or of manuf act ur e or
sal e, of pr ohi bi t ed ar ms or pr ohi bi t ed ammuni t i on. No per son shal l - -

( a) acqui r e, have i n hi s possessi on or car r y; or

( b) 2*[ use, manuf act ur e] sel l , t r ansf er , conver t , r epai r ,
t est or pr ove; or

( c) expose or of f er f or sal e or t r ansf er or have i n hi s
possessi on f or sal e, t r ansf er , conver si on, r epai r , t est
or pr oof ;

any pr ohi bi t ed ar ms or pr ohi bi t ed ammuni t i on unl ess he has been
speci al l y aut hor i sed by t he Cent r al Gover nment i n t hi s behal f .


8.

Pr ohi bi t i on of sal e or t r ansf er of f i r ear ms not bear i ng
i dent i f i cat i onmar ks.


8. Pr ohi bi t i on of sal e or t r ansf er of f i r ear ms not bear i ng
i dent i f i cat i on mar ks. - ( 1) No per son shal l obl i t er at e, r emove, al t er or
f or ge any name, number or ot her i dent i f i cat i on mar k st amped or
ot her wi se shown on a f i r ear m.

( 2) No per son shal l sel l or t r ansf er any f i r ear mwhi ch does not
bear t he name of t he maker , manuf act ur er ' s number or ot her
i dent i f i cat i on mar k st amped or ot her wi se shown t her eon i n a manner
appr oved by t he Cent r al Gover nment .

( 3) Whenever any per son has i n hi s possessi on any f i r ear mwi t hout
such name, number or ot her i dent i f i cat i on mar k or on whi ch such name,
number or ot her i dent i f i cat i on mar k has been obl i t er at ed, r emoved,
al t er ed or f or ged, i t shal l be pr esumed unl ess t he cont r ar y i s pr oved,
t hat he has obl i t er at ed, r emoved, al t er ed or f or ged t hat name, number
or ot her i dent i f i cat i on mar k:

Pr ovi ded t hat i n r el at i on t o a per son who has i n hi s possessi on
at t he commencement of t hi s Act any f i r ear mwi t hout such name, number
or ot her i dent i f i cat i on mar k st amped or ot her wi se shown t her eon, t he
pr ovi si ons of t hi s sub- sect i on shal l not t ake ef f ect unt i l af t er t he
expi r at i on of one year f r omsuch commencement .


9.

Pr ohi bi t i on of acqui si t i on or possessi on by, or of sal e or t r ansf er t o,
young
per sons and cer t ai n ot her per sons of f i r ear ms, et c.


9. Pr ohi bi t i on of acqui si t i on or possessi on by, or of sal e or
t r ansf er t o, young per sons and cer t ai n ot her per sons of f i r ear ms,
et c. -
( 1) Not wi t hst andi ng anyt hi ng i n t he f or egoi ng pr ovi si ons of t hi s Act , -
-

( a) no per son, - -

( i ) who has not compl et ed t he age of 2*[ t went y- one
year s] , or
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
1. Subs. by Act 42 of 1988, s. 4, f or " maanuf act ur e" ( w. e. f .
27- 5- 1988) .
2. Subs. by Act 25 of 1983, s. 5, f or " sevent een yeay" ( w. e. f .
22- 6- 1983) .

38

( i i ) who has been sent enced on convi ct i on of any
of f ence i nvol vi ng vi ol ence or mor al t ur pi t ude t o
i mpr i sonment f or 1*[ any t er m] , at any t i me dur i ng
a per i od of f i ve year s af t er t he expi r at i on of t he
sent ence, or

( i i i ) who has been or der ed t o execut e under Chapt er
VI I I of t he 1*[ Code of Cr i mi nal Pr ocedur e, 1973
( 2 of 1974) , ] a bond f or keepi ng t he peace or f or
good behavi our , at any t i me dur i ng t he t er m of
t he bond,

shal l acqui r e, have i n hi s possessi on or car r y any f i r ear m or
ammuni t i on;


( b) no per son shal l sel l or t r ansf er any f i r ear m or
ammuni t i on t o, or conver t , r epai r , t est or pr ove any
f i r ear mor ammuni t i on f or , any ot her per son whom he
knows, or has r eason t o bel i eve- -

( i ) t o be pr ohi bi t ed under cl ause ( a) f r omacqui r i ng,
havi ng i n hi s possessi on or car r yi ng any f i r ear m
or ammuni t i on, or

( i i ) t o be of unsound mi nd at t he t i me of such sal e or
t r ansf er , or such conver si on, r epai r , t est or
pr oof .

( 2) Not wi t hst andi ng anyt hi ng i n sub- cl ause ( i ) of cl ause ( a) of
sub- sect i on ( 1) , a per son who has at t ai ned t he pr escr i bed age- l i mi t
may use under pr escr i bed condi t i ons such f i r ear ms as may be pr escr i bed
i n t he cour se of hi s t r ai ni ng i n t he use of such f i r ear ms:

Pr ovi ded t hat di f f er ent age- l i mi t s may be pr escr i bed i n r el at i on
t o di f f er ent t ypes of f i r ear ms.


10.

Li cence f or i mpor t and expor t of ar ms, et c.


10. Li cence f or i mpor t and expor t of ar ms, et c. - ( 1) No per son
shal l br i ng i nt o, or t ake out of , I ndi a by sea, l and or ai r any ar ms
or ammuni t i on unl ess he hol ds i n t hi s behal f a l i cence i ssued i n
accor dance wi t h t he pr ovi si ons of t hi s Act and t he r ul es made
t her eunder :

Pr ovi ded t hat - -

( a) a per son who i s ent i t l ed by vi r t ue of t hi s Act or any
ot her l aw f or t he t i me bei ng i n f or ce t o have, or i s
not pr ohi bi t ed by t hi s Act or such ot her l aw f r om
havi ng, i n hi s possessi on any ar ms or ammuni t i on, may
wi t hout a l i cence i n t hi s behal f br i ng i nt o, or t ake
out of , I ndi a
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
1. Subs. by Act 25 of 1983, s. 5, f or cer t ai n wor ds ( w. e. f .
22- 6- 1983) .

39

such ar ms or ammuni t i on i n r easonabl e quant i t i es f or
hi s own pr i vat e use;

( b) a per son bei ng a bona f i de t our i st bel ongi ng t o any such
count r y as t he Cent r al Gover nment may, by not i f i cat i on
i n t he Of f i ci al Gazet t e, speci f y, who i s not pr ohi bi t ed
by t he l aws of t hat count r y f r om havi ng i n hi s
possessi on any ar ms or ammuni t i on, may, wi t hout a
l i cence under t hi s sect i on but i n accor dance wi t h such
condi t i ons as may be pr escr i bed, br i ng wi t h hi mi nt o
I ndi a ar ms and ammuni t i on i n r easonabl e quant i t i es f or
use by hi mf or pur poses onl y of spor t and f or no ot her
pur pose;

Expl anat i on. - - For pur poses of cl ause ( b) of t hi s
pr ovi so, t he wor d " t our i st " means a per son who not bei ng a
ci t i zen of I ndi a vi si t s I ndi a f or a per i od not exceedi ng si x
mont hs wi t h no ot her obj ect t han r ecr eat i on, si ght - seei ng,
or par t i ci pat i on i n a r epr esent at i ve capaci t y i n meet i ngs
convened by t he Cent r al Gover nment or i n i nt er nat i onal
conf er ences, associ at i ons or ot her bodi es.

( 2) Not wi t hst andi ng anyt hi ng cont ai ned i n t he pr ovi so t o sub-
sect i on ( 1) , wher e t he col l ect or of cust oms or any ot her of f i cer
empower ed by t he Cent r al Gover nment i n t hi s behal f has any doubt as t o
t he appl i cabi l i t y of cl ause ( a) or cl ause ( b) of t hat pr ovi so t o any
per son who cl ai ms t hat such cl ause i s appl i cabl e t o hi m, or as t o t he
r easonabl eness of t he quant i t i es of ar ms or ammuni t i on i n t he
possessi on of any per son r ef er r ed t o i n such cl ause, or as t o t he use
t o whi ch such ar ms or ammuni t i on may be put by such per son, may det ai n
t he ar ms or ammuni t i on i n t he possessi on of such per son unt i l he
r ecei ves t he or der s of t he Cent r al Gover nment i n r el at i on t her et o.

( 3) Ar ms and ammuni t i on t aken f r omone par t of I ndi a t o anot her
by sea or ai r or acr oss any i nt er veni ng t er r i t or y not f or mi ng par t of
I ndi a, ar e t aken out of , and br ought i nt o, I ndi a wi t hi n t he meani ng of
t hi s sect i on.


11.

Power t o pr ohi bi t i mpor t or expor t of ar ms, et c.


11. Power t o pr ohi bi t i mpor t or expor t of ar ms, et c. - The Cent r al
Gover nment may, by not i f i cat i on i n t he Of f i ci al Gazet t e, pr ohi bi t t he
br i ngi ng i nt o, or t he t aki ng out of , I ndi a, ar ms or ammuni t i on of such
cl asses and descr i pt i ons as may be speci f i ed i n t he not i f i cat i on.

40


12.

Power t o r est r i ct or pr ohi bi t t r anspor t of ar ms.


12. Power t o r est r i ct or pr ohi bi t t r anspor t of ar ms. - ( 1) The
Cent r al Gover nment may, by not i f i cat i on i n t he Of f i ci al Gazet t e, - -

( a) di r ect t hat no per son shal l t r anspor t over I ndi a or any
par t t her eof ar ms or ammuni t i on of such cl asses and
descr i pt i ons as may be speci f i ed i n t he not i f i cat i on
unl ess he hol ds i n t hi s behal f a l i cence i ssued i n
accor dance wi t h t he pr ovi si ons of t hi s Act and t he
r ul es made t her e- under ; or

( b) pr ohi bi t such t r anspor t al t oget her .

( 2) Ar ms or ammuni t i on t r ans- shi pped at a seapor t or an ai r por t
i n I ndi a ar e t r anspor t ed wi t hi n t he meani ng of t hi s sect i on.


CHAP

PROVI SI ONS RELATI NG TO LI CENCES


CHAPTER I I I

PROVI SI ONS RELATI NG TO LI CENCES


13.

Gr ant of l i cences.


13. Gr ant of l i cences. - ( 1) An appl i cat i on f or t he gr ant of a
l i cence under Chapt er I I shal l be made t o t he l i censi ng aut hor i t y and
shal l be i n such f or m, cont ai n such par t i cul ar s and be accompani ed by
such f ee, i f any, as may be pr escr i bed.

1*[ ( 2) On r ecei pt of an appl i cat i on, t he l i censi ng aut hor i t y
shal l cal l f or t he r epor t of t he of f i cer i n char ge of t he near est
pol i ce st at i on on t hat appl i cat i on, and such of f i cer shal l send hi s
r epor t wi t hi n t he pr escr i bed t i me.

( 2A) The l i censi ng aut hor i t y, af t er such i nqui r y, i f any, as i t
may consi der necessar y, and af t er consi der i ng t he r epor t r ecei ved
under sub- sect i on ( 2) , shal l , subj ect t o t he ot her pr ovi si ons of t hi s
Chapt er , by or der i n wr i t i ng ei t her gr ant t he l i cence or r ef use t o
gr ant t he same:

Pr ovi ded t hat wher e t he of f i cer i n char ge of t he near est pol i ce
st at i on does not send hi s r epor t on t he appl i cat i on wi t hi n t he
pr escr i bed t i me, t he l i censi ng aut hor i t y may, i f i t deems f i t , make
such or der , af t er t he expi r y of t he pr escr i bed t i me, wi t hout f ur t her
wai t i ng f or t hat r epor t . ]

( 3) The l i censi ng aut hor i t y shal l gr ant - -

( a) a l i cence under sect i on 3 wher e t he l i cence i s r equi r ed-
-

( i ) by a ci t i zen of I ndi a i n r espect of a
smoot h bor e gun havi ng a bar r el of not l ess t han
t went y i nches i n l engt h t o be used f or pr ot ect i on
or spor t or i n r espect of a muzzl e l oadi ng gun t o
be used f or bona f i de cr op pr ot ect i on:

Pr ovi ded t hat wher e havi ng r egar d t o t he
ci r cumst ances of any case, t he l i censi ng aut hor i t y
i s sat i sf i ed t hat a muzzl e l oadi ng gun wi l l not be
suf f i ci ent f or cr op pr ot ect i on, t he l i censi ng
aut hor i t y may gr ant a l i cence i n r espect of any
ot her smoot h bor e gun as af or esai d f or such
pr ot ect i on, or

( i i ) i n r espect of a poi nt 22 bor e r i f l e or
an ai r r i f l e t o be used f or t ar get pr act i ce by a
member of a r i f l e
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
1. Subs. by Act 25 of 1983, s. 6, f or sub- sect i on ( 2) ( w. e. f .
22- 6- 1983) .

41

cl ub or r i f l e associ at i on l i censed or r ecogni sed
by t he Cent r al Gover nment ;

( b) a l i cence under sect i on 3 i n any ot her case or a l i cence
under sect i on 4, sect i on 5, sect i on 6, sect i on 10 or
sect i on 12, i f t he l i censi ng aut hor i t y i s sat i sf i ed
t hat t he per son by whomt he l i cence i s r equi r ed has a
good r eason f or obt ai ni ng t he same.


14.

Ref usal of l i cences.


14. Ref usal of l i cences. - ( 1) Not wi t hst andi ng anyt hi ng i n sect i on
13, t he l i censi ng aut hor i t y shal l r ef use t o gr ant - -

( a) a l i cence under sect i on 3, sect i on 4 or sect i on 5 wher e
such l i cence i s r equi r ed i n r espect of any pr ohi bi t ed
ar ms or pr ohi bi t ed ammuni t i on;

( b) a l i cence i n any ot her case under Chapt er I I , - -

( i ) wher e such l i cence i s r equi r ed by a per son whom t he
l i censi ng aut hor i t y has r eason t o bel i eve- -

( 1) t o be pr ohi bi t ed by t hi s Act or by any ot her l aw f or t he
t i me bei ng i n f or ce f r om acqui r i ng, havi ng i n hi s
possessi on or car r yi ng any ar ms or ammuni t i on, or

( 2) t o be of unsound mi nd, or

( 3) t o be f or any r eason unf i t f or a l i cence under t hi s Act ;
or

( i i ) wher e t he l i censi ng aut hor i t y deems i t necessar y f or
t he secur i t y of t he publ i c peace or f or publ i c saf et y
t o r ef use t o gr ant such l i cence.

( 2) The l i censi ng aut hor i t y shal l not r ef use t o gr ant any l i cence
t o any per son mer el y on t he gr ound t hat such per son does not own or
possess suf f i ci ent pr oper t y.

( 3) Wher e t he l i censi ng aut hor i t y r ef uses t o gr ant a l i cence t o
any per son i t shal l r ecor d i n wr i t i ng t he r easons f or such r ef usal and
f ur ni sh t o t hat per son on demand a br i ef st at ement of t he same unl ess
i n any case t he l i censi ng aut hor i t y i s of t he opi ni on t hat i t wi l l not
be i n t he publ i c i nt er est t o f ur ni sh such st at ement .


15.

Dur at i on and r enewal of l i cence.


15. Dur at i on and r enewal of l i cence. - ( 1) A l i cence under sect i on
3 shal l , unl ess r evoked ear l i er , cont i nue i n f or ce f or a per i od of
t hr ee year s f r omt he dat e on whi ch i t i s gr ant ed:

Pr ovi ded t hat such a l i cence may be gr ant ed f or a shor t er per i od
i f t he per son by whomt he l i cence i s r equi r ed so desi r es or i f t he

42

l i censi ng aut hor i t y f or r easons t o be r ecor ded i n wr i t i ng consi der s i n
any case t hat t he l i cence shoul d be gr ant ed f or a shor t er per i od.

( 2) A l i cence under any ot her pr ovi si on of Chapt er I I shal l ,
unl ess r evoked ear l i er , cont i nue i n f or ce f or such per i od f r omt he
dat e on whi ch i t i s gr ant ed as t he l i censi ng aut hor i t y may i n each
case det er mi ne.

( 3) Ever y l i cence shal l , unl ess t he l i censi ng aut hor i t y f or
r easons t o be r ecor ded i n wr i t i ng ot her wi se deci des i n any case, be
r enewabl e f or t he same per i od f or whi ch t he l i cence was or i gi nal l y
gr ant ed and shal l be so r enewabl e f r om t i me t o t i me, and t he
pr ovi si ons of sect i ons 13 and 14 shal l appl y t o t he r enewal of a
l i cence as t hey appl y t o t he gr ant t her eof .


16.

Fees, et c. , f or l i cence.


16. Fees, et c. , f or l i cence. - The f ees on payment of whi ch, t he
condi t i ons subj ect t o whi ch and t he f or mi n whi ch a l i cence shal l be
gr ant ed or r enewed shal l be such as may be pr escr i bed:

Pr ovi ded t hat di f f er ent f ees, di f f er ent condi t i ons and di f f er ent
f or ms may be pr escr i bed f or di f f er ent t ypes of l i cences:

Pr ovi ded f ur t her t hat a l i cence may cont ai n i n addi t i on t o
pr escr i bed condi t i ons such ot her condi t i ons as may be consi der ed
necessar y by t he l i censi ng aut hor i t y i n any par t i cul ar case.


17.

Var i at i on, suspensi on and r evocat i on of l i cences.


17. Var i at i on, suspensi on and r evocat i on of l i cences. - ( 1) The
l i censi ng aut hor i t y may var y t he condi t i ons subj ect t o whi ch a l i cence
has been gr ant ed except such of t hemas have been pr escr i bed and may
f or t hat pur pose r equi r e t he l i cence- hol der by not i ce i n wr i t i ng t o
del i ver - up t he l i cence t o i t wi t hi n such t i me as may speci f i ed i n t he
not i ce.

( 2) The l i censi ng aut hor i t y may, on t he appl i cat i on of t he hol der
of a l i cence, al so var y t he condi t i ons of t he l i cence except such of
t hemas have been pr escr i bed.

( 3) The l i censi ng aut hor i t y may by or der i n wr i t i ng suspend a
l i cence f or such per i od as i t t hi nks f i t or r evoke a l i cence, - -

( a) i f t he l i censi ng aut hor i t y i s sat i sf i ed t hat t he hol der
of t he l i cence i s pr ohi bi t ed by t hi s Act or by any
ot her l aw f or t he t i me bei ng i n f or ce, f r omacqui r i ng,
havi ng i n hi s possessi on or car r yi ng any ar ms or
ammuni t i on, or i s of unsound mi nd, or i s f or any r eason
unf i t f or a l i cence under t hi s Act ; or

43

( b) i f t he l i censi ng aut hor i t y deems i t necessar y f or t he
secur i t y of t he publ i c peace or f or publ i c saf et y t o
suspend or r evoke t he l i cence; or

( c) i f t he l i cence was obt ai ned by t he suppr essi on of
mat er i al i nf or mat i on or on t he basi s of wr ong
i nf or mat i on pr ovi ded by t he hol der of t he l i cence or
any ot her per son on hi s behal f at t he t i me of appl yi ng
f or i t ; or

( d) i f any of t he condi t i ons of t he l i cence has been
cont r avened; or

( e) i f t he hol der of t he l i cence has f ai l ed t o compl y wi t h a
not i ce under sub- sect i on ( 1) r equi r i ng hi mt o del i ver -
up t he l i cence.

( 4) The l i censi ng aut hor i t y may al so r evoke a l i cence on t he
appl i cat i on of t he hol der t her eof .

( 5) Wher e t he l i censi ng aut hor i t y makes an or der var yi ng a
l i cence under sub- sect i on ( 1) or an or der suspendi ng or r evoki ng a
l i cence under sub- sect i on ( 3) , i t shal l r ecor d i n wr i t i ng t he r easons
t her ef or and f ur ni sh t o t he hol der of t he l i cence on demand a br i ef
st at ement of t he same unl ess i n any case t he l i censi ng aut hor i t y i s of
t he opi ni on t hat i t wi l l not be i n t he publ i c i nt er est t o f ur ni sh such
st at ement .

( 6) The aut hor i t y t o whomt he l i censi ng aut hor i t y i s subor di nat e
may by or der i n wr i t i ng suspend or r evoke a l i cence on any gr ound on
whi ch i t may be suspended or r evoked by t he l i censi ng aut hor i t y; and
t he f or egoi ng pr ovi si ons of t hi s sect i on shal l , as f ar as may be,
appl y i n r el at i on t o t he suspensi on or r evocat i on of a l i cence by such
aut hor i t y.

( 7) A cour t convi ct i ng t he hol der of a l i cence of any of f ence
under t hi s Act or t he r ul es made t her eunder may al so suspend or r evoke
t he l i cence:

Pr ovi ded t hat i f t he convi ct i on i s set asi de on appeal or
ot her wi se, t he suspensi on or r evocat i on shal l become voi d.

( 8) An or der of suspensi on or r evocat i on under sub- sect i on ( 7)
may al so be made by an appel l at e cour t or by t he Hi gh Cour t when
exer ci si ng i t s power s of r evi si on.

( 9) The Cent r al Gover nment may, by or der i n t he Of f i ci al Gazet t e,
suspend or r evoke or di r ect any l i censi ng aut hor i t y t o suspend or
r evoke al l or any l i cences gr ant ed under t hi s Act t hr oughout I ndi a or
any par t t her eof .

44

( 10) On t he suspensi on or r evocat i on of a l i cence under t hi s
sect i on t he hol der t her eof shal l wi t hout del ay sur r ender t he l i cence
t o t he aut hor i t y by whomi t has been suspended or r evoked or t o such
ot her aut hor i t y as may be speci f i ed i n t hi s behal f i n t he or der of
suspensi on or r evocat i on.


18.

Appeal s.


18. Appeal s. - ( 1) Any per son aggr i eved by an or der of t he
l i censi ng aut hor i t y r ef usi ng t o gr ant a l i cence or var yi ng t he
condi t i ons of a l i cence or by an or der of t he l i censi ng aut hor i t y or
t he aut hor i t y t o whom t he l i censi ng aut hor i t y i s subor di nat e,
suspendi ng or r evoki ng a l i cence may pr ef er an appeal agai nst t hat
or der t o such aut hor i t y ( her ei naf t er r ef er r ed t o as t he appel l at e
aut hor i t y) and wi t hi n such per i od as may be pr escr i bed:

Pr ovi ded t hat no appeal shal l l i e agai nst any or der made by or
under t he di r ect i on of , t he Gover nment .

( 2) No appeal shal l be admi t t ed i f i t i s pr ef er r ed af t er t he
expi r y of t he per i od pr escr i bed t her ef or :

Pr ovi ded t hat an appeal may be admi t t ed af t er t he expi r y of t he
per i od pr escr i bed t her ef or i f t he appel l ant sat i sf i es t he appel l at e
aut hor i t y t hat he had suf f i ci ent cause f or not pr ef er r i ng t he appeal
wi t hi n t hat per i od.

( 3) The per i od pr escr i bed f or an appeal shal l be comput ed i n
accor dance wi t h t he pr ovi si ons of t he I ndi an Li mi t at i on Act , 1908 ( 9
of 1908) , wi t h r espect t o t he comput at i on of per i ods of l i mi t at i on
t her eunder .

( 4) Ever y appeal under t hi s sect i on shal l be made by a pet i t i on
i n wr i t i ng and shal l be accompani ed by a br i ef st at ement of t he
r easons f or t he or der appeal ed agai nst wher e such st at ement has been
f ur ni shed t o t he appel l ant and by such f ee as may be pr escr i bed.

( 5) I n di sposi ng of an appeal t he appel l at e aut hor i t y shal l
f ol l ow such pr ocedur e as may be pr escr i bed:

Pr ovi ded t hat no appeal shal l be di sposed of unl ess t he appel l ant
has been gi ven a r easonabl e oppor t uni t y of bei ng hear d.

( 6) The or der appeal ed agai nst shal l , unl ess t he appel l at e
aut hor i t y condi t i onal l y or uncondi t i onal l y di r ect s ot her wi se, be i n
f or ce pendi ng t he di sposal of t he appeal agai nst such or der .

( 7) Ever y or der of t he appel l at e aut hor i t y conf i r mi ng, modi f yi ng
or r ever si ng t he or der appeal ed agai nst shal l be f i nal .

45


CHAP

POWERS AND PROCEDURE


CHAPTER I V

POWERS AND PROCEDURE


19.

Power t o demand pr oduct i on of l i cence, et c.


19. Power t o demand pr oduct i on of l i cence, et c. - ( 1) Any pol i ce
of f i cer or any ot her of f i cer speci al l y empower ed i n t hi s behal f by t he
Cent r al Gover nment may demand t he pr oduct i on of hi s l i cence f r omany
per son who i s car r yi ng any ar ms or ammuni t i on.

( 2) I f t he per son upon whoma demand i s made r ef uses or f ai l s t o
pr oduce t he l i cence or t o show t hat he i s ent i t l ed by vi r t ue of t hi s
Act or any ot her l aw f or t he t i me bei ng i n f or ce t o car r y such ar ms or
ammuni t i on wi t hout a l i cence, t he of f i cer concer ned may r equi r e hi mt o
gi ve hi s name and addr ess and i f such of f i cer consi der s i t necessar y,
sei ze f r omt hat per son t he ar ms or ammuni t i on whi ch he i s car r yi ng.

( 3) I f t hat per son r ef uses t o gi ve hi s name and addr ess or i f t he
of f i cer concer ned suspect s t hat per son of gi vi ng a f al se name or
addr ess or of i nt endi ng t o abscond, such of f i cer may ar r est hi m
wi t hout war r ant .


20.

Ar r est of per sons conveyi ng ar ms, et c. , under
suspi ci ousci r cumst ances.


20. Ar r est of per sons conveyi ng ar ms, et c. , under suspi ci ous
ci r cumst ances. - Wher e any per son i s f ound car r yi ng or conveyi ng any
ar ms or ammuni t i on whet her cover ed by a l i cence or not , i n such manner
or under such ci r cumst ances as t o af f or d j ust gr ounds of suspi ci on
t hat t he same ar e or i s bei ng car r i ed by hi mwi t h i nt ent t o use t hem,
or t hat t he same may be used, f or any unl awf ul pur pose, any
magi st r at e, any pol i ce of f i cer or any ot her publ i c ser vant or any
per son empl oyed or wor ki ng upon a r ai l way, ai r cr af t , vessel , vehi cl e
or any ot her means of conveyance, may ar r est hi mwi t hout war r ant and
sei ze f r omhi msuch ar ms or ammuni t i on.


21.

Deposi t of ar ms, et c. , on possessi on ceasi ng t o be l awf ul .


21. Deposi t of ar ms, et c. , on possessi on ceasi ng t o be l awf ul . -
( 1) Any per son havi ng i n hi s possessi on any ar ms or ammuni t i on t he
possessi on wher eof has, i n consequence of t he expi r at i on of t he
dur at i on of a l i cence or of t he suspensi on or r evocat i on of a l i cence
or by t he i ssue of a not i f i cat i on under sect i on 4 or by any r eason
what ever , ceased t o be l awf ul , shal l wi t hout unnecessar y del ay deposi t
t he same ei t her wi t h t he of f i cer i n char ge of t he near est pol i ce
st at i on or subj ect t o such condi t i ons as may be pr escr i bed, wi t h a
l i censed deal er or wher e such per son i s a member of t he ar med f or ces
of t he Uni on, i n a uni t ar mour y.

Expl anat i on. - - I n t hi s sub- sect i on " uni t ar mour y" i ncl udes an
ar mour y i n a shi p or est abl i shment of t he I ndi an Navy.

( 2) Wher e ar ms or ammuni t i on have or has been deposi t ed under
sub- sect i on ( 1) , t he deposi t or or i n t he case of hi s deat h, hi s l egal

46

r epr esent at i ve, shal l , at any t i me bef or e t he expi r y of such per i od as
may be pr escr i bed, be ent i t l ed- -

( a) t o r ecei ve back anyt hi ng so deposi t ed on hi s becomi ng
ent i t l ed by vi r t ue of t hi s Act or any ot her l aw f or t he
t i me bei ng i n f or ce t o have t he same i n hi s possessi on,
or

( b) t o di spose, or aut hor i se t he di sposal , of anyt hi ng so
deposi t ed by sal e or ot her wi se t o any per son ent i t l ed
by vi r t ue of t hi s Act or any ot her l aw f or t he t i me
bei ng i n f or ce t o have, or not pr ohi bi t ed by t hi s Act
or such ot her l aw f r om havi ng, t he same i n hi s
possessi on and t o r ecei ve t he pr oceeds of any such
di sposal :

Pr ovi ded t hat not hi ng i n t hi s sub- sect i on shal l be deemed t o
aut hor i se t he r et ur n or di sposal of anyt hi ng of whi ch conf i scat i on has
been di r ect ed under sect i on 32.

( 3) Al l t hi ngs deposi t ed and not r ecei ved back or di sposed of
under sub- sect i on ( 2) wi t hi n t he per i od t her ei n r ef er r ed t o shal l be
f or f ei t ed t o Gover nment by or der of t he di st r i ct magi st r at e:

Pr ovi ded t hat i n t he case of suspensi on of a l i cence no such
f or f ei t ur e shal l be or der ed i n r espect of a t hi ng cover ed by t he
l i cence dur i ng t he per i od of suspensi on.

( 4) Bef or e maki ng an or der under sub- sect i on ( 3) t he di st r i ct
magi st r at e shal l , by not i ce i n wr i t i ng t o be ser ved upon t he deposi t or
or i n t he case of hi s deat h, upon hi s l egal r epr esent at i ve, i n t he
pr escr i bed manner , r equi r e hi m t o show cause wi t hi n t hi r t y days f r om
t he ser vi ce of t he not i ce why t he t hi ngs speci f i ed i n t he not i ce
shoul d not be f or f ei t ed.

( 5) Af t er consi der i ng t he cause, i f any, shown by t he deposi t or
or , as t he case may be, hi s l egal r epr esent at i ve, t he di st r i ct
magi st r at e shal l pass such or der as he t hi nks f i t .

( 6) The Gover nment may at any t i me r et ur n t o t he deposi t or or hi s
l egal r epr esent at i ve t hi ngs f or f ei t ed t o i t or t he pr oceeds of
di sposal t her eof whol l y or i n par t .


22.

Sear ch and sei zur e by magi st r at e.


22. Sear ch and sei zur e by magi st r at e. - ( 1) Whenever any magi st r at e
has r eason t o bel i eve- -

( a) t hat any per son r esi di ng wi t hi n t he l ocal l i mi t s of hi s
j ur i sdi ct i on has i n hi s possessi on any ar ms or
ammuni t i on f or any unl awf ul pur pose, or

( b) t hat such per son cannot be l ef t i n t he possessi on of any
ar ms or ammuni t i on wi t hout danger t o t he publ i c peace
or saf et y.

47

t he magi st r at e may, af t er havi ng r ecor ded t he r easons f or hi s bel i ef ,
cause a sear ch t o be made of t he house or pr emi ses occupi ed by such
per son or i n whi ch t he magi st r at e has r eason t o bel i eve t hat such ar ms
or ammuni t i on ar e or i s t o be f ound and may have such ar ms or
ammuni t i on, i f any, sei zed and det ai n t he same i n saf e cust ody f or
such per i od as he t hi nks necessar y, al t hough t hat per son may be
ent i t l ed by vi r t ue of t hi s Act or any ot her l aw f or t he t i me bei ng i n
f or ce t o have t he same i n hi s possessi on.

( 2) Ever y sear ch under t hi s sect i on shal l be conduct ed by or i n
t he pr esence of a magi st r at e or by or i n t he pr esence of some of f i cer
speci al l y empower ed i n t hi s behal f by t he Cent r al Gover nment .


23.

Sear ch of vessel s, vehi cl es f or ar ms, et c.


23. Sear ch of vessel s, vehi cl es f or ar ms, et c, . - Any magi st r at e,
any pol i ce of f i cer or any ot her of f i cer speci al l y power ed i n t hi s
behal f by t he Cent r al Gover nment , may f or t he pur pose of ascer t ai ni ng
whet her any cont r avent i on of t hi s Act or t he r ul es made t her eunder i s
bei ng or i s l i kel y t o be commi t t ed, st op and sear ch any vessel ,
vehi cl e or ot her means of conveyance and sei ze any ar ms or ammuni t i on
t hat may be f ound t her ei n al ong wi t h such vessel , vehi cl e or ot her
means of conveyance.


24.

Sei zur e and det ent i on under or der s of t he Cent r al Gover nment .


24. Sei zur e and det ent i on under or der s of t he Cent r al Gover nment . -
The Cent r al Gover nment may at any t i me or der t he sei zur e of any ar ms
or ammuni t i on i n t he possessi on of any per son, not wi t hst andi ng t hat
such per son i s ent i t l ed by vi r t ue of t hi s Act or any ot her l aw f or t he
t i me bei ng i n f or ce t o have t he same i n hi s possessi on, and may det ai n
t he same f or such per i od as i t t hi nks necessar y f or t he publ i c peace
and saf et y.


24A.

Pr ohi bi t i on as t o possessi on of not i f i ed ar ms i n di st ur bed ar eas, et c.


1*[ 24A. Pr ohi bi t i on as t o possessi on of not i f i ed ar ms i n
di st ur bed ar eas, et c. ( 1) Wher e t he Cent r al Gover nment i s sat i sf i ed
t hat t her e i s ext ensi ve di st ur bance of publ i c peace and t r anqui l l i t y
or i mmi nent danger of such di st ur bance i n any ar ea and t hat f or t he
pr event i on of of f ences i nvol vi ng t he use of ar ms i n such ar ea, i t i s
necessar y or expedi ent so t o do, i t may by not i f i cat i on i n t he
Of f i ci al Gazet t e- -

( a) speci f y t he l i mi t s of such ar ea;

( b) di r ect t hat bef or e t he commencement of t he per i od
speci f i ed i n t he not i f i cat i on ( whi ch per i od shal l be a per i od
commenci ng f r om a dat e not ear l i er t an t he f our t h day af t er t he
dat e of publ i cat i on of t he not i f i cat i on i n t he Of f i ci al Gazet t e) ,
ever y per son havi ng i n hi s possessi on i n such ar ea any ar ms of
such descr i pt i on as may be speci f i ed i n t he not i f i cat i on ( t he
ar ms so speci f i ed bei ng her eaf t er i n t hi s sect i on r ef er r ed t o as
not i f i ed ar ms) , shal l deposi t t he same bef or e such commencement
i n accor dance wi t h t he pr ovi si ons of sect i on 21 and f or t hi s
pur pose t he possessi on by such per son of any not i f i ed ar ms shal l ,
not wi t hst andi ng anyt hi ng cont ai ned i n any ot her pr ovi si on of t hi s
Act ( except sect i on 41) or i n any ot her l aw f or t he t i me bei ng i n
f or ce, as f r omt he dat e of publ i cat i on of such not i f i cat i on i n
t he Of f i ci al Gazet t e be deemed t o have ceased t o be l awf ul ;

( c) decl ar e t hat as f r omt he commencement of , and unt i l t he
expi r y of , t he per i od speci f i ed i n t he not i f i cat i on, i t shal l not
be l awf ul f or any per son t o have i n hi s possessi on i n such ar ea
any not i f i ed ar ms;

( d) aut hor i se any such of f i cer subor di nat e t o t he Cent r al
Gover nment or a St at e Gover nment as may be speci f i ed i n t he
not i f i cat i on, - -

( i ) t o sear ch at any t i me dur i ng t he per i od speci f i ed
i n t he not i f i cat i on any per son i n, or passi ng t hr ough, or
any pr emi ses i n, or any ani mal or vessel or vehi cl e or ot her
conveyance of what ever nat ur e i n or passi ng t hr ough, or any
r ecept acl e or ot her cont ai ner of what ever nat ur e i n, such
ar ea i f such of f i cer has r eason t o bel i eve t hat any not i f i ed
ar ms ar e secr et ed by such per son or i n such pr emi ses or on
such ani mal or i n such vessel , vehi cl e or ot her conveyance
or i n such r ecept acl e or ot her cont ai ner ;

( i i ) t o sei ze at any t i me dur i ng t he per i od speci f i ed i n t he
not i f i cat i on any not i f i ed ar ms i n t he possessi on of any per son i n
such ar ea or di scover ed t hr ough a sear ch under sub- cl ause ( i ) ,
and det ai n t he same dur i ng t he per i od speci f i ed i n t he
not i f i cat i on.

( 2) The per i od speci f i ed i n a not i f i cat i on i ssued under sub-
sect i on ( 1) i n r espect of any ar ea shal l not , i n t he f i r st i nst ance,
exceed ni net y days, but t he Cent r al Gover nment may amend such
not i f i cat i on t o ext end such per i od f r omt i me t o t i me by any per i od not
exceedi ng ni net y days at any one t i me i f , i n t he opi ni on of t hat
Gover nment , t her e cont i nues t o be i n such ar ea such di st ur bance of
publ i c peace and t r anqui l l i t y as i s r ef er r ed t o i n sub- sect i on ( 1) or
i mmi nent danger t her eof and t hat f or t he pr event i on of of f ences
i nvol vi ng t he use of ar ms i n such ar ea i t i s necessar y or expedi ent so
t o do.

( 3) The pr ovi si ons of t he Code of Cr i mi nal Pr ocedur e, 1973 ( 2 of
1973) , r el at i ng t o sear ches and sei zur es shal l , so f ar as may be,
appl y t o any sear ch or sei zur e made under sub- sect i on ( 1) .

( 4) For t he pur poses of t hi s sect i on, - -

( a) " ar ms" i ncl udes ammuni t i on;

( b) wher e t he per i od speci f i ed i n a not i f i cat i on, as
or i gi nal l y i ssued under sub- sect i on ( 1) , i s ext ended under sub-
sect i on ( 2) , t hen, i n r el at i on t o such not i f i cat i on, r ef er ences
i n sub- sect i on ( 1) t o " t he per i od speci f i ed i n t he not i f i cat i on"
shal l be const r ued as r ef er ences t o t he per i od as so ext ended.


24B.

Pr ohi bi t i on as t o car r yi ng of not i f i ed ar ms or t hr ough
publ i cpl aces i n
di st ur bed ar eas ect .


24B. Pr ohi bi t i on as t o car r yi ng of not i f i cat i on ar ms or t hr ough
publ i c pl aces i n di st ur bedar eas et c. ( 1) Wher e t he Cent r al Gover nment
i s sat i sf i ed t hat t her e i s ext ensi ve di st ur bance of publ i c peace and
t r anqui l l i t y or i mmi nent danger of such di st ur bance i n any ar ea and
t hat f or t he pr event i on of of f ences i nvol vi ng t he use of ar ms i n such
ar ea i t i s necessar y or expedi ent so t o do, i t may, by not i f i cat i on i n
t he Of f i ci al Gazet t e, - -

( a) speci f y t he l i mi t s of such ar ea;

( b) di r ect t hat dur i ng t he per i od speci f i ed i n t he
not i f i cat i on ( whi ch per i od shal l be a per i od commenci ng f r oma
dat e not ear l i er t han t he second day af t er t he dat e of
publ i cat i on of t he not i f i cat i on i n t he Of f i ci al Gazet t e) , no
per son shal l car r y or ot her wi se have i n hi s possessi on any ar ms
of such descr i pt i on as may be speci f i ed i n t he not i f i cat i on ( t he
ar ms so speci f i ed bei ng her eaf t er i n t hi s sect i on r ef er r ed t o as
not i f i ed ar ms) t hr ough or i n any publ i c pl ace i n such ar ea;

( c) aut hor i se any such of f i cer subor di nat e t o t he Cent r al
Gover nment or a St at e Gover nment as may be speci f i ed i n t he
not i f i cat i on, - -

( i ) t o sear ch at any t i me dur i ng t he per i od speci f i ed
i n t he not i f i cat i on any per son i n, or passi ng t hr ough, or
any pr emi ses i n or f or mi ng par t of , or any ani mal or vessel
or vehi cl e or ot her conveyance of what ever nat ur e i n or
passi ng t hr ough, or any r ecept acl e or ot her cont ai ner of
what ever nat ur e i n, any publ i c pl ace i n such ar ea i f such
of f i cer has r eason t o bel i eve t hat any not i f i ed ar ms ar e
secr et ed by such per son or i n such pr emi ses or on such
ani mal or i n such vessel , vehi cl e or ot her conveyance or i n
such r ecept acl e or ot her cont ai ner ;

( i i ) t o sei ze at any t i me dur i ng t he per i od speci f i ed
i n t he not i f i cat i on any not i f i ed ar ms bei ng car r i ed by or
ot her wi se i n t he possessi on of any per son, t hr ough or i n a
publ i c pl ace i n such ar ea or di scover ed t hr ough a sear ch
under sub- cl ause ( i ) , and det ai n t he same dur i ng t he per i od
speci f i ed i n t he not i f i cat i on.

( 2) The per i od speci f i ed i n a not i f i cat i on i ssued under sub-
sect i on ( 1) i n r espect of any ar ea shal l not , i n t he f i r st i nst ance,
exceed ni net y days, but t he Cent r al Gover nment may amend such
not i f i cat i on t o ext end such per i od f r om t i me t o t i me by any per i od
exceedi ng ni net y days at any one t i me i f , i n t he opi ni on of t hat
Gover nment , t her e cont i nues t o be i n such ar ea such di st ur bance of
publ i c peace and t r anqui l l i t y as i s r ef er r ed t o i n sub- sect i on ( 1) or
i mmi nent danger t her eof and t hat f or t he pr event i on of of f ences
i nvol vi ng t he use of ar ms i n such ar ea i t i s necessar y or expedi ent so
t o do.

( 3) The pr ovi si ons of t he Code of Cr i mi nal Pr ocedur e, 1973
( 2 of 1974) r el at i ng t o sear ches and sei zur es shal l , so f ar as may
be, appl y t o any sear ch or sei zur e made under sub- sect i on ( 1) .

( 4) For t he pur poses of t hi s sect i on, - -

( a) " ar ms" i ncl udes ammuni t i on;

( b) " publ i c pl ace" means any pl ace i nt ended f or use by, or
accessi bl e t o, t he publ i c or any sect i on of t he publ i c; and

( c) wher e t he per i od speci f i ed i n a not i f i cat i on, as
or i gi nal l y i ssued under sub- sect i on ( 1) , i s ext ended under sub-
sect i on ( 2) , t hen, i n r el at i on t o such not i f i cat i on, r ef er ences
i n sub- sect i on ( 1) t o " t he per i od speci f i ed i n t he not i f i cat i on"
shal l be const r ued as r ef er ences t o t he per i od as so ext ended. ]


CHAP

OFFENCES AND PENALTI ES


CHAPTER V

OFFENCES AND PENALTI ES


25.

Puni shment f or cer t ai n of f ences.


25. Puni shment f or cer t ai n of f ences. 2*[ ( 1) Whoever - -

( a) manuf act ur es, sel l s, t r ansf er s, conver t s, r epai r s, t est s
or pr oves, or exposes or of f er s f or sal e or t r ansf er , or has i n
hi s possessi on f or sal e, t r ansf er , conver si on, r epai r , t est or
pr oof , any ar ms or ammuni t i on i n cont r avent i on of sect i on 5; or

( b) shor t ens t he bar r el of a f i r ear m or conver t s an
i mi t at i on f i r ear mi nt o a f i r ear mi n cont r avent i on of sect i on 6;
or

3* * * * *

( d) br i ngs i nt o, or t akes out of , I ndi a, any ar ms or
ammuni t i on of any cl ass or descr i pt i on i n cont r avent i on of
sect i on 11

shal l be puni shabl e wi t h i mpr i sonment f or a t er mwhi ch shal l not be
l ess t han t hr ee year s but whi ch may ext end t o seven year s and shal l
al so be l i abl e t o f i ne.

5*[ ( 1AAA) ] Whoever has i n cont r avent i on of a not i f i cat i on
i ssued under sect i on 24A i n hi s possessi on or i n cont r avent i on of
a not i f i cat i on i ssued under sect i on 24B car r i es or ot her wi se has
i n hi s possessi on, any ar ms or ammuni t i on shal l be puni shabl e
wi t h i mpr i sonment f or a t er mwhi ch shal l not be l ess t han
6*[ t hr ee
year s, but whi ch may ext end t o seven year s] and shal l al so be
l i abl e t o f i ne.

( 1B) Whoever - -

( a) acqui r es, has i n hi s possessi on or car r i es any f i r ear m
or ammuni t i on i n cont r avent i on of sect i on 3; or

( b) acqui r es, has i n hi s possessi on or car r i es i n any pl ace
speci f i ed by not i f i cat i on under sect i on 4 any ar ms of such cl ass
or descr i pt i on as has been speci f i ed i n t hat not i f i cat i on i n
cont r avent i on of t hat sect i on; or

( c) sel l s or t r ansf er s any f i r ear mwhi ch does not bear t he
name of t he maker , manuf act ur er ' s number or ot her i dent i f i cat i on
mar k st amped or ot her wi se shown t her eon as r equi r ed by sub-
sect i on ( 2) of sect i on 8 or does any act i n cont r avent i on of sub-
sect i on ( 1) of t hat sect i on; or

( d) bei ng a per son t o whomsub- cl ause ( i i ) or sub- cl ause
( i i i ) of cl ause ( a) of sub- sect i on ( 1) of sect i on 9 appl i es,
acqui r es, has i n hi s possessi on or car r i es any f i r ear m or
ammuni t i on i n cont r avent i on of t hat sect i on; or

( e) sel l s or t r ansf er s, or conver t s, r epai r s, t est s or
pr oves any f i r ear mor ammuni t i on i n cont r avent i on of cl ause ( b)
of sub- sect i on ( 1) of sect i on 9; or

( f ) br i ngs i nt o, or t akes out of , I ndi a, any ar ms or
ammuni t i on i n cont r avent i on of sect i on 10; or

( g) t r anspor t s any ar ms or ammuni t i on i n cont r avent i on of
sect i on 12; or

( h) f ai l s t o deposi t ar ms or ammuni t i on as r equi r ed by sub-
sect i on ( 2) of sect i on 3, or sub- sect i on ( 1) of sect i on 21; or

( i ) bei ng a manuf act ur er of , or deal er i n, ar ms or
ammuni t i on, f ai l s, on bei ng r equi r ed t o do so by r ul es made under
sect i on 44, t o mai nt ai n a r ecor d or account or t o make t her ei n
al l such ent r i es as ar e r equi r ed by such r ul es or i nt ent i onal l y
makes a f al se ent r y t her ei n or pr event s or obst r uct s t he
i nspect i on of such r ecor d or account or t he maki ng of copi es of
ent r i es t her ef r omor pr event s or obst r uct s t he ent r y i nt o any
pr emi ses or ot her pl ace wher e ar ms or ammuni t i on ar e or i s
manuf act ur ed or kept or i nt ent i onal l y f ai l s t o exhi bi t or
conceal s such ar ms or ammuni t i on or r ef uses t o poi nt out wher e
t he same ar e or i s manuf act ur ed or kept ,

shal l be puni shabl e wi t h i mpr i sonment f or a t er mwhi ch shal l not be
l ess t han 6*[ one year ] but whi ch may ext end t o t hr ee year s and shal l
al so be l i abl e t o f i ne:

Pr ovi ded t hat t he Cour t may f or any adequat e and speci al r easons
t o be r ecor ded i n t he j udgment i mpose a sent ence of i mpr i sonment f or a
t er mof l ess t han 6*[ one year ]

7*[ ( 1C) Not wi t hst andi ng anyt hi ng cont ai ned i n sub- sect i on ( 1B) ,
whoever commi t s an of f ence puni shabl e under t hat sub- sect i on i n any
di st ur bed ar ea shal l be puni shabl e wi t h i mpr i sonment f or a t er mwhi ch
shal l not be l ess t han t hr ee year s but whi ch may ext end t o seven year s
and shal l al so be l i abl e t o f i ne.

Expl anat i on. - - For t he pur poses of t hi s sub- sect i on, " di st ur bed
ar ea" means any ar ea decl ar ed t o be a di st ur bed ar ea under any
enact ment , f or t he t i me bei ng i n f or ce, maki ng pr ovi si on f or t he
suppr essi on of di sor der and r est or at i on and mai nt enance of publ i c
or der , and i ncl udes any ar eas speci f i ed by not i f i cat i on under sect i on
24A or sect i on 24B. ]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
1. I ns. by Act 25 of 1983, s. 7 ( w. e. f . 22- 6- 1983) .
2. Subs. by s. 8, i bi d. , f or sub- sect i on ( 1) ( w. e. f . 22- 6- 1983) .
3. Cl . ( c) omi t t ed by Act 42 of 1988 s. 5 ( w. e. f . 27- 5- 1988) .
4. I ns. by s. 5, i bi d. ( w. e. f . 27- 5- 1988) .
5. Sub- sect i on ( 1A) r enumber ed as sub- sect i on ( 1AAA) t her e of by s. 5
i bi d. ( w. e. d. 27- 5- 1988) .
6. Subs. by Act 39 of 1985, s. 2.
7. I ns. by s. 2, i bi d. .


49

( 2) Whoever bei ng a per son t o whomsub- cl ause ( i ) of cl ause ( a)
of sub- sect i on ( 1) of sect i on 9 appl i es, acqui r es, has i n hi s
possessi on or car r i es any f i r ear mor ammuni t i on i n cont r avent i on of
t hat sect i on shal l be puni shabl e wi t h i mpr i sonment f or a t er mwhi ch
may ext end t o one year , or wi t h f i ne, or wi t h bot h.

1*[ ( 3) Whoever sel l s or t r ansf er s any f i r ear m, ammuni t i on or
ot her ar ms- -

( i ) wi t hout i nf or mi ng t he di st r i ct magi st r at e havi ng
j ur i sdi ct i on or t he of f i cer i n char ge of t he near est pol i ce
st at i on, of t he i nt ended sal e or t r ansf er of t hat f i r ear m,
ammuni t i on or ot her ar ms; or

( i i ) bef or e t he expi r at i on of t he per i od of f or t y- f i ve
days f r om t he dat e of gi vi ng such i nf or mat i on t o such
di st r i ct magi st r at e or t he of f i cer i n char ge of t he pol i ce
st at i on,

i n cont r avent i on of t he pr ovi si ons of cl ause ( a) or cl ause ( b) of t he
pr ovi so t o sub- sect i on ( 2) of sect i on 5, shal l be puni shabl e wi t h
i mpr i sonment f or a t er m whi ch may ext end t o si x mont hs, or wi t h f i ne
of an amount whi ch may ext end t o f i ve hundr ed r upees, or wi t h bot h. ]

( 4) Whoever f ai l s t o del i ver - up a l i cence when so r equi r ed by t he
l i censi ng aut hor i t y under sub- sect i on ( 1) of sect i on 17 f or t he
pur pose of var yi ng t he condi t i ons speci f i ed i n t he l i cence or f ai l s t o
sur r ender a l i cence t o t he appr opr i at e aut hor i t y under sub- sect i on
( 10) of t hat sect i on on i t s suspensi on or r evocat i on shal l be
puni shabl e wi t h i mpr i sonment f or a t er m whi ch may ext end t o si x
mont hs, or wi t h f i ne of an amount whi ch may ext end t o f i ve hundr ed
r upees, or wi t h bot h.

( 5) Whoever , when r equi r ed under sect i on 19 t o gi ve hi s name and
addr ess, r ef uses t o gi ve such name and addr ess or gi ves a name or
addr ess whi ch subsequent l y t r anspi r es t o be f al se shal l be puni shabl e
wi t h i mpr i sonment f or a t er mwhi ch may ext end t o si x mont hs, or wi t h
f i ne of an amount whi ch may ext end t o t wo hundr ed r upees, or wi t h
bot h.


26.

Secr et cont r avent i ons.


2*[ 26. Secr et cont r avent i ons. - ( 1) Whoever does any act i n
cont r avent i on of any of t he pr ovi si ons of sect i on 3, 4, 10 or 12 i n
such manner as t o i ndi cat e an i nt ent i on t hat such act may not be known
t o any publ i c ser vant or t o any per son empl oyed or wor ki ng upon a
r ai l way, ai r cr af t , vessel , vehi cl e or any ot her means of conveyance,
shal l be puni shabl e wi t h i mpr i sonment f or a t er mwhi ch shal l not be
l ess t han si x mont hs but whi ch may ext end t o seven year s and al so wi t h
f i ne.

( 2) Whoever does any act i n cont r avent i on of any of t he
pr ovi si ons of sect i on 5, 6, 7 or 11 i n such manner as t o i ndi cat e an
i nt ent i on t hat such act may not be known t o any publ i c ser vant or t o
any per son empl oyed or wor ki ng upon a r ai l way, ai r cr af t , vessel ,
vehi cl e or any ot her means of conveyance, shal l be puni shabl e wi t h
i mpr i sonment f or a t er m whi ch shal l be puni shabl e wi t h i mpr i sonment
f or a t er mwhi ch shal l not be l ess t han f i ve year s but whi ch may
ext end t o t en year s and al so wi t h f i ne.

( 3) Whoever on any sear ch bei ng made under sect i on 22 conceal s or
at t empt s t o conceal any ar ms or ammuni t i on, shal l be puni shabl e wi t h
i mpr i sonment f or a t er m whi ch may ext end t o t en year s and al so wi t h
f i ne. ]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
1. Subs. by Act 25 of 1983, s. 8, f or sub- sect i on ( 3) ( w. e. f .
22- 6- 1983) .
2. Subs. by s. 9, i bi d. , f or s. 26 ( w. e. f . 22- 6- 1983) .

50


27.

Puni shment f or usi ng ar ms, et c.


1*[ 27. Puni shment f or usi ng ar ms, et c. - ( 1) Whoever uses any ar ms
or ammuni t i on i n cont r avent i on of sect i on 5 shal l be puni shabl e wi t h
i mpr i sonment f or a t er m whi ch shal l not be l ess t han t hr ee year s but
whi ch may ext end t o seven year s and shal l al so be l i abl e t o f i ne.

( 2) Whoever uses any pr ohi bi t ed ar ms or pr ohi bi t ed ammuni t i on i n
cont r avent i on of sect i on 7 shal l be puni shabl e wi t h i mpr i sonment f or a
t er mwhi ch shal l not be l ess t han seven year s but whi ch may ext end t o
i mpr i sonment f or l i f e and shal l al so be l i abl e t o f i ne.

( 3) Whoever uses any pr ohi bi t ed ar ms or pr ohi bi t ed ammuni t i on or
does any act i n cont r avent i on of sect i on 7 and such use or act r esul t s
i n t he deat h of any ot her per son, shal l be puni shabl e wi t h deat h. ]


28.

Puni shment f or use and possessi on of f i r ear ms or i mi t at i on f i r ear ms
i ncer t ai n
cases.


28. Puni shment f or use and possessi on of f i r ear ms or i mi t at i on
f i r ear ms i n cer t ai n cases. - Whoever makes or at t empt s t o make any use
what soever of a f i r ear mor an i mi t at i on f i r ear mwi t h i nt ent t o r esi st
or pr event t he l awf ul ar r est or det ent i on of hi msel f or any ot her
per son shal l be puni shabl e wi t h i mpr i sonment f or a t er mwhi ch may
ext end t o seven year s, 4*[ and wi t h f i ne]

Expl anat i on. - - I n t hi s sect i on t he expr essi on " i mi t at i on f i r ear m"
has t he same meani ng as i n sect i on 6.


29.

Puni shment f or knowi ngl y pur chasi ng ar ms, et c. , f r omunl i censed
per sonor f or
del i ver i ng ar ms, et c. , t o per son not ent i t l ed t o possess t hesame.


29. Puni shment f or knowi ngl y pur chasi ng ar ms, et c. , f r om
unl i censed per son or f or del i ver i ng ar ms, et c. , t o per son not ent i t l ed
t o possess t he same. - Whoever - -

( a) pur chases any f i r ear mor any ot her ar ms of such cl ass or
descr i pt i on as may be pr escr i bed or any ammuni t i on f r om
any ot her per son knowi ng t hat such ot her per son i s not
l i censed or aut hor i sed under sect i on 5; or

( b) del i ver s any ar ms or ammuni t i on i nt o t he possessi on of
anot her per son wi t hout pr evi ousl y ascer t ai ni ng t hat
such ot her per son i s ent i t l ed by vi r t ue of t hi s Act or
any ot her l aw f or t he t i me bei ng i n f or ce t o have, and
i s not pr ohi bi t ed by t hi s Act or such ot her l aw f r om
havi ng, i n hi s possessi on t he same;

shal l be puni shabl e wi t h i mpr i sonment f or a t er mwhi ch may ext end t o
2*[ t hr ee year s, or wi t h f i ne, or wi t h bot h]


30.

Puni shment f or cont r avent i on of l i cence or r ul e.


30. Puni shment f or cont r avent i on of l i cence or r ul e. - Whoever
cont r avenes any condi t i on of a l i cence or any pr ovi si on of t hi s act or
any r ul e made t her eunder , f or whi ch no puni shment i s pr ovi ded
el sewher e i n t hi s Act shal l be puni shabl e wi t h i mpr i sonment f or a t er m
whi ch may ext end t o 3*[ si x mont h] , or wi t h f i ne whi ch may ext end t o
4*[ t wo t housand] r upees, or wi t h bot h.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
1. Subs. by Act 42 of 1988, s. 6, f or s. 27 ( w. e. f . 27- 5- 1988) .
2. Subs. by Act 25 of 1983, s. 10, f or cer t ai n wor ds ( w. e. f .
22- 6- 1983) .
3. Subs. by s. 11 i bi d. , f or cer t ai n wor ds ( w. e. f . 22- 6- 1983) .
4. Subs. by s. 12, i bi d. , f or cer t ai n wor ds ( w. e. f . 22- 6- 1983) .

51


31.

Puni shment f or subsequent of f ences.


31. Puni shment f or subsequent of f ences. - Whoever havi ng been
convi ct ed of an of f ence under t hi s Act i s agai n convi ct ed of an
of f ence under t hi s Act shal l be puni shabl e wi t h doubl e t he penal t y
pr ovi ded f or t he l at t er of f ence.


32.

Power t o conf i scat e.


32. Power t o conf i scat e. - ( 1) When any per son i s convi ct ed under
t hi s Act of any of f ence commi t t ed by hi m i n r espect of any ar ms or
ammuni t i on, i t shal l be i n t he di scr et i on of t he convi ct i ng cour t
f ur t her t o di r ect t hat t he whol e or any por t i on of such ar ms or
ammuni t i on, and any vessel , vehi cl e or ot her means of conveyance and
any r escept acl e or t hi ng cont ai ni ng, or used t o conceal , t he ar ms or
ammuni t i on shal l be conf i scat ed:

Pr ovi ded t hat i f t he convi ct i on i s set asi de on appeal or
ot her wi se, t he or der of conf i scat i on shal l become voi d.

( 2) An or der of conf i scat i on may al so be made by t he appel l at e
cour t or by t he Hi gh Cour t when exer ci si ng i t s power s of r evi si on.


33.

Of f ences by compani es.


33. Of f ences by compani es. - ( 1) Whenever an of f ence under t hi s Act
has been commi t t ed by a company, ever y per son who at t he t i me t he
of f ence was commi t t ed was i n char ge of , or was r esponsi bl e t o t he
company f or t he conduct of , t he busi ness of t he company, as wel l as
t he company, shal l be deemed t o be gui l t y of t he of f ence and shal l be
l i abl e t o be pr oceeded agai nst and puni shed accor di ngl y:

Pr ovi ded t hat not hi ng cont ai ned i n t hi s sub- sect i on shal l r ender
any such per son l i abl e t o any puni shment under t hi s Act i f he pr oves
t hat t he of f ence was commi t t ed wi t hout hi s knowl edge and t hat he
exer ci sed al l due di l i gence t o pr event t he commi ssi on of such of f ence.

( 2) Not wi t hst andi ng anyt hi ng cont ai ned i n sub- sect i on ( 1) , wher e
an of f ence under t hi s Act has been commi t t ed by a company and i t i s
pr oved t hat t he of f ence has been commi t t ed wi t h t he consent or
conni vance of , or i s at t r i but abl e t o any negl ect on t he par t of , any
di r ect or , manager , secr et ar y or ot her of f i cer of t he company, such
di r ect or , manager , secr et ar y or ot her of f i cer shal l al so be deemed t o
be gui l t y of t hat of f ence and shal l be l i abl e t o be pr oceeded agai nst
and puni shed accor di ngl y.

Expl anat i on. - - For t he pur poses of t hi s sect i on, - -

( a) " company" means any body cor por at e, and i ncl udes a f i r m
or ot her associ at i on of i ndi vi dual s; and

( b) " di r ect or " , i n r el at i on t o a f i r m, means a par t ner i n
t he f i r m.

52


CHAP

MI SCELLANEOUS


CHAPTER VI

MI SCELLANEOUS


34.

Sanct i on of Cent r al Gover nment f or war ehousi ng of ar ms.


34. Sanct i on of Cent r al Gover nment f or war ehousi ng of ar ms. -
Not wi t hst andi ng anyt hi ng cont ai ned i n t he 1*[ Cust oms Act , 1962
( 52 of 1962) ] no ar ms or ammuni t i on shal l be deposi t ed i n any war e-
house l i censed under 1*[ sect i on 58] of t hat Act wi t hout t he sanct i on
of t he Cent r al Gover nment .


35.

Cr i mi nal r esponsi bi l i t y of per sons i n occupat i on of pr emi ses
i ncer t ai n
cases.


35. Cr i mi nal r esponsi bi l i t y of per sons i n occupat i on of pr emi ses
i n cer t ai n cases. Wher e any ar ms or ammuni t i on i n r espect of whi ch any
of f ence under t hi s Act has been or i s bei ng commi t t ed ar e or i s f ound
i n any pr emi ses, vehi cl e or ot her pl ace i n t he j oi nt occupat i on or
under t he j oi nt cont r ol of sever al per sons, each of such per sons i n
r espect of whomt her e i s r eason t o bel i eve t hat he was awar e of t he
exi st ence of t he ar ms or ammuni t i on i n t he pr emi ses, vehi cl e or ot her
pl ace shal l , unl ess t he cont r ar y i s pr oved, be l i abl e f or t hat of f ence
i n t he same manner as i f i t has been or i s bei ng commi t t ed by hi m
al one.


36.

I nf or mat i on t o be gi ven r egar di ng cer t ai n of f ences.


36. I nf or mat i on t o be gi ven r egar di ng cer t ai n of f ences. - ( 1) Ever y
per son awar e of t he commi ssi on of any of f ence under t hi s Act shal l , i n
t he absence of r easonabl e excuse t he bur den of pr ovi ng whi ch shal l l i e
upon such per son, gi ve i nf or mat i on of t he same t o t he of f i cer i n
char ge of t he near est pol i ce st at i on or t he magi st r at e havi ng
j ur i sdi ct i on.

( 2) Ever y per son empl oyed or wor ki ng upon any r ai l way, ai r cr af t ,
vessel , vehi cl e or ot her means of conveyance shal l , i n t he absence of
r easonabl e excuse t he bur den of pr ovi ng whi ch shal l l i e upon such
per son, gi ve i nf or mat i on t o t he of f i cer i n char ge of t he near est
pol i ce st at i on r egar di ng any box, package or bal e i n t r ansi t whi ch he
may have r eason t o suspect cont ai ns ar ms or ammuni t i on i n r espect of
whi ch an of f ence under t hi s Act has been or i s bei ng commi t t ed.


37.

Ar r est and sear ches.


37. Ar r est and sear ches. - Save as ot her wi se pr ovi ded i n t hi s Act , -
-

( a) al l ar r est s and sear ches made under t hi s Act or under
any r ul es made t her eunder shal l be car r i ed out i n
accor dance wi t h t he pr ovi si ons of t he 2*[ Code of
Cr i mi nal Pr ocedur e, 1973 ( 2 of 1974) ] , r el at i ng r espec-
t i vel y t o ar r est s and sear ches made under t hat Code;

( b) any per son ar r est ed and any ar ms or ammuni t i on sei zed
under t hi s Act by a per son not bei ng a magi st r at e or a
pol i ce of f i cer shal l be del i ver ed wi t hout del ay t o t he
of f i cer
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
1. Subs. by Act 25 of 1983, s. 13, f or cer t ai n wor ds ( w. e. f .
22- 6- 1983) .
2. Subs. by s. 14, i bi d. , f or cer t ai n wor ds ( w. e. f . 22- 6- 1983) .

53

i n char ge of t he near est pol i ce st at i on and t hat
of f i cer shal l - -

( i ) ei t her r el ease t hat per son on hi s
execut i ng a bond wi t h or wi t hout sur et i es t o
appear bef or e a magi st r at e and keep t he t hi ngs
sei zed i n hi s cust ody t i l l t he appear ance of t hat
per son bef or e t he magi st r at e, or

( i i ) shoul d t hat per son f ai l t o execut e t he
bond and t o f ur ni sh, i f so r equi r ed, suf f i ci ent
sur et i es, pr oduce t hat per son and t hose t hi ngs
wi t hout del ay bef or e t he magi st r at e.


38.

Of f ences t o be cogni zabl e.


38. Of f ences t o be cogni zabl e. - Ever y of f ence under t hi s Act shal l
be cogni zabl e wi t hi n t he meani ng of t he 1*[ Code of Cr i mi nal Pr ocedur e,
1973 ( 2 of 1974) ]


39.

Pr evi ous sanct i on of t he di st r i ct magi st r at e necessar y i n
cer t ai ncases.


39. Pr evi ous sanct i on of t he di st r i ct magi st r at e necessar y i n
cer t ai n cases. - No pr osecut i on shal l be i nst i t ut ed agai nst any per son
i n r espect of any of f ence under sect i on 3 wi t hout t he pr evi ous
sanct i on of t he di st r i ct magi st r at e.


40.

Pr ot ect i on of act i on t aken i n good f ai t h.


40. Pr ot ect i on of act i on t aken i n good f ai t h. - No sui t ,
pr osecut i on or ot her l egal pr oceedi ng shal l l i e agai nst any per son f or
any t hi ng whi ch i s i n good f ai t h done or i nt ended t o be done under
t hi s Act .


41.

Power t o exempt .


41. Power t o exempt . - Wher e t he Cent r al Gover nment i s of t he
opi ni on t hat i t i s necessar y or expedi ent i n t he publ i c i nt er est so t o
do, i t may, by not i f i cat i on i n t he Of f i ci al Gazet t e and subj ect t o
such condi t i ons, i f any, as i t may speci f y i n t he not i f i cat i on, - -

( a) 2*[ exempt any per son or cl ass of per sons ( ei t her
gener al l y or i n r el at i on t o such descr i pt i on of ar ms
and ammuni t i on as may be speci f i ed i n t he
not i f i cat i on) ] , or excl ude any descr i pt i on of ar ms or
ammuni t i on, or wi t hdr aw any par t of I ndi a, f r om t he
oper at i on of al l or any of t he pr ovi si ons of t hi s Act ;
and

( b) as of t en as may be, cancel any such not i f i cat i on and
agai n subj ect , by a l i ke not i f i cat i on, t he per son or
cl ass of per sons or t he descr i pt i on of ar ms and
ammuni t i on or t he par t of I ndi a t o t he oper at i on of
such pr ovi si ons.


42.

Power t o t ake census of f i r ear ms.


42. Power t o t ake census of f i r ear ms. - ( 1) The Cent r al Gover nment
may, by not i f i cat i on i n t he Of f i ci al Gazet t e, di r ect a census t o be
t aken of al l f i r ear ms i n any ar ea and empower any of f i cer of
Gover nment t o t ake such census.

( 2) On t he i ssue of any such not i f i cat i on al l per sons havi ng i n
t hei r possessi on any f i r ear mi n t hat ar ea shal l f ur ni sh t o t he of f i cer
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
1. Subs. by Act 25 of 1983, s. 14 ( w. e. f . 22- 6- 1983) .
2. Subs. by s. 15, i bi d. , f or cer t ai n wor ds ( w. e. f . 22- 6- 1983) .

54

concer ned such i nf or mat i on as he may r equi r e i n r el at i on t her et o and
shal l pr oduce bef or e hi msuch f i r ear ms i f he so r equi r es.


43.

Power t o del egat e.


43. Power t o del egat e. - ( 1) The Cent r al Gover nment may, by
not i f i cat i on i n t he Of f i ci al Gazet t e, di r ect t hat any power or
f unct i on whi ch may be exer ci sed or per f or med by i t under t hi s Act
ot her t han t he power under sect i on 41 or t he power under sect i on 44
may, i n r el at i on t o such mat t er s and subj ect t o such condi t i ons, i f
any, as i t may speci f y i n t he not i f i cat i on, be exer ci sed or per f or med
al so by- -

( a) such of f i cer or aut hor i t y subor di nat e t o t he Cent r al
Gover nment , or

( b) such St at e Gover nment or such of f i cer or aut hor i t y
subor di nat e t o t he St at e Gover nment ,

as may be speci f i ed i n t he not i f i cat i on.

( 2) Any r ul es made by t he Cent r al Gover nment under t hi s Act may
conf er power s or i mpose dut i es or aut hor i se t he conf er r i ng of power s
or i mposi t i on of dut i es upon any St at e Gover nment or any of f i cer or
aut hor i t y subor di nat e t her et o.


44.

Power t o make r ul es.


44. Power t o make r ul es. - ( 1) The Cent r al Gover nment may, by
not i f i cat i on i n t he Of f i ci al Gazet t e, make r ul es f or car r yi ng out t he
pur poses of t hi s Act .

( 2) I n par t i cul ar , and wi t hout pr ej udi ce t o t he gener al i t y of t he
f or egoi ng power , such r ul es may pr ovi de f or al l or any of t he
f ol l owi ng mat t er s, namel y: - -

( a) t he appoi nt ment , j ur i sdi ct i on, cont r ol and f unct i ons of
l i censi ng aut hor i t i es 1*[ " i ncl udi ng t he ar eas and t he
cat egor i es of ar ms and ammuni t i on f or whi ch t hey may
gr ant l i cences] ;

( b) t he f or mand par t i cul ar s of appl i cat i on f or t he gr ant or
r enewal of a l i cence and wher e t he appl i cat i on i s f or
t he r enewal of a l i cence, t he t i me wi t hi n whi ch i t
shal l be made;

( c) t he f or mi n whi ch and t he condi t i ons subj ect t o whi ch
any l i cence may be gr ant ed or r ef used, r enewed, var i ed,
suspended or r evoked;

( d) wher e no per i od has been speci f i ed i n t hi s Act , t he
per i od f or whi ch any l i cence shal l cont i nue t o be i n
f or ce;

( e) t he f ees payabl e i n r espect of any appl i cat i on f or t he
gr ant or r enewal of a l i cence and i n r espect of any
l i cence gr ant ed or r enewed and t he manner of payi ng t he
same;
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
1. I ns. by Act 25 of 1983, s. 16 ( w. e. f . 22- 6- 1983) .

55

( f ) t he manner i n whi ch t he maker ' s name, t he manuf act ur er ' s
number or ot her i dent i f i cat i on mar k of a f i r ear mshal l
be st amped or ot her wi se shown t her eon;

( g) t he pr ocedur e f or t he t est or pr oof of any f i r ear ms;

( h) t he f i r ear ms t hat may be used i n t he cour se of t r ai ni ng,
t he age- l i mi t s of per sons who may use t hem and t he
condi t i ons f or t hei r use by such per sons;

( i ) t he aut hor i t y t o whomappeal s may be pr ef er r ed under
sect i on 18, t he pr ocedur e t o be f ol l owed by such
aut hor i t y and t he per i od wi t hi n whi ch appeal s shal l be
pr ef er r ed, t he f ees t o be pai d i n r espect of such
appeal s and t he r ef und of such f ees;

( j ) t he mai nt enance of r ecor ds or account s of anyt hi ng done
under a l i cence ot her t han a l i cence under sect i on 3 or
sect i on 4, t he f or mof , and t he ent r i es t o be made i n,
such r ecor ds or account s and t he exhi bi t i on of such
r ecor ds or account s t o any pol i ce of f i cer or t o any
of f i cer of Gover nment empower ed i n t hi s behal f ;

( k) t he ent r y and i nspect i on by any pol i ce of f i cer or by any
of f i cer of Gover nment empower ed i n t hi s behal f of any
pr emi ses or ot her pl ace i n whi ch ar ms or ammuni t i on ar e
or i s manuf act ur ed or i n whi ch ar ms or ammuni t i on ar e
or i s kept by a manuf act ur er of or deal er i n such ar ms
or ammuni t i on and t he exhi bi t i on of t he same t o such
of f i cer ;

( l ) t he condi t i ons subj ect t o whi ch ar ms or ammuni t i on may
be deposi t ed wi t h a l i censed deal er or i n a uni t
ar mour y as r equi r ed by sub- sect i on ( 1) of sect i on 21
and t he per i od on t he expi r y of whi ch t he t hi ngs so
deposi t ed may be f or f ei t ed;

( m) any ot her mat t er whi ch i s t o be, or may be, pr escr i bed.

( 3) Ever y r ul e made under t hi s sect i on shal l be l ai d as soon as
may be af t er i t i s made bef or e each House of Par l i ament whi l e i t i s i n
sessi on f or a t ot al per i od of t hi r t y days whi ch may be compr i sed i n
one sessi on or i n 1*[ t wo or mor e successi ve sessi ons, and i f , bef or e
t he expi r y of t he sessi on i mmedi at el y f ol l owi ng t he sessi on or t he
successi ve sessi ons af or esai d] , bot h Houses agr ee i n maki ng any
modi f i cat i on i n t he r ul e or bot h Houses agr ee t hat t he r ul e shoul d not
be made, t he r ul e shal l t her eaf t er have ef f ect onl y i n such modi f i ed
f or mor
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
1. Subs. by Act 25 of 1983, s. 16, f or cer t ai n wor ds ( w. e. f .
22- 6- 1983) .

56

be of no ef f ect , as t he case may be, so however t hat any such
modi f i cat i on or annul ment shal l be wi t hout pr ej udi ce t o t he val i di t y
of anyt hi ng pr evi ousl y done under t hat r ul e.


45.

Not hi ng i n t hi s Act shal l appl y t o


45. Not hi ng i n t hi s Act shal l appl y t o- -

( a) ar ms or ammuni t i on on boar d any sea- goi ng vessel or any
ai r cr af t and f or mi ng par t of t he or di nar y ar mament or
equi pment of such vessel or ai r cr af t ;

( b) t he acqui si t i on, possessi on or car r yi ng, t he
manuf act ur e, r epai r , conver si on, t est or pr oof , t he
sal e or t r ansf er or t he i mpor t , expor t or t r anspor t of
ar ms or ammuni t i on- -

( i ) by or under or der s of t he Cent r al
Gover nment , or

( i i ) by a publ i c ser vant i n t he cour se of hi s
dut y as such publ i c ser vant , or

( i i i ) by a member of t he Nat i onal Cadet Cor ps
r ai sed and mai nt ai ned under t he Nat i onal Cadet
Cor ps Act , 1948 ( 31 of 1948) , or by any of f i cer
or enr ol l ed per son of t he Ter r i t or i al Ar my Act ,
1948 ( 56 of 1948) , or by any member of any ot her
f or ces r ai sed and mai nt ai ned or t hat may her eaf t er
be r ai sed and mai nt ai ned under any Cent r al Act , or
by any member of such ot her f or ces as t he Cent r al
Gover nment may, by not i f i cat i on i n t he Of f i ci al
Gazet t e, speci f y, i n t he cour se of hi s dut y as
such member , of f i cer or enr ol l ed per son;

( c) any weapon of an obsol et e pat t er n or of ant i quar i an
val ue or i n di sr epai r whi ch i s not capabl e of bei ng
used as a f i r ear mei t her wi t h or wi t hout r epai r ;

( d) t he acqui si t i on, possessi on or car r yi ng by a per son of
mi nor par t s of ar ms or ammuni t i on whi ch ar e not
i nt ended t o be used al ong wi t h compl ement ar y par t s
acqui r ed or possessed by t hat or any ot her per son.


46.

Repeal of Act 11 of 1878.


46. Repeal of Act 11 of 1878. ( 1) The I ndi an Ar ms Act , 1878 ( 11
of 1878) , i s her eby r epeal ed.

( 2) Not wi t hst andi ng t he r epeal of t he I ndi an Ar ms Act , 1878, ( 11
of 1878. ) and wi t hout pr ej udi ce t o t he pr ovi si ons of sect i ons 6 and 24
of t he Gener al Cl auses Act , 1897 ( 10 of 1897) , ever y l i cence gr ant ed
or r enewed under t he f i r st - ment i oned Act shal l , unl ess sooner r evoked,
cont i nue i n f or ce af t er such commencement f or t he unexpi r ed por t i on of
t he per i od f or whi ch i t has been gr ant ed or r enewed.