Court Orders Release of 1000 Cartridges Each to Renowned and Aspiring Shooters for Upcoming Competitions, Subject to Utilization Verification
In a significant ruling aimed at supporting sports shooters, the Madhya Pradesh High Court, Jabalpur, under the bench of Justice Vishal Mishra, has granted interim relief to a group of renowned and aspiring shooters by directing the release of 1000 cartridges each for practice and preparation. The shooters, represented by petitioner Ibrahim Javed Khan, had filed multiple writ petitions (WP No. 3332 of 2026, WP/2268 of 2026, WP/2456 of 2026) against the Union of India and others, seeking the release of their allotted cartridges for training purposes under the Arms Rules, 2016.
The court's decision comes in light of the upcoming shooting competitions scheduled for March 2026, for which the petitioners require adequate practice and preparation. The petitioners had been facing challenges due to restrictions on their cartridge quotas, which impeded their ability to train effectively.
The Deputy Advocate General, representing the State, acknowledged the necessity of cartridge availability for these sports persons and assured the court that the petitioners would be granted 1000 cartridges each. Furthermore, the court stipulated that upon exhaustion of the initial quota, the shooters must report to the Collector for verification of proper utilization. The Collector is empowered to authorize further release of cartridges if required, ensuring that the shooters are well-prepared for their competitions.
In addition to addressing the immediate cartridge requirements, the court directed the inclusion of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, as a party respondent to address broader issues concerning the use of sports category weapons and the entitlement of shooters to cartridges.
The judgment reflects the court's recognition of the importance of supporting athletes in their training endeavors while ensuring regulatory compliance and accountability. The High Court's decision is expected to facilitate the shooters' preparation, enabling them to compete effectively on both national and international platforms.
Bottom Line:
Interim relief granted to renowned and aspiring shooters for release of 1000 cartridges each for practice and preparation for upcoming competitions, subject to monitoring by the Collector regarding their utilization and further release if required.
Statutory provision(s): Arms Rules, 2016
Ibrahim Javed Khan v. Union of India, (Madhya Pradesh)(Jabalpur) : Law Finder Doc id # 2856734
