‘Susceptible to Life Threats’: Delhi HC Grants Arms Licence to Ex-NIA Judge
Judicial officer Ravi Dahiya had approached the Court seeking directions to the licensing authority to decide on his application, which had been pending for over a year and a half;
The Delhi Police last month granted an arms licence to a judicial officer who had cited life threats stemming from his tenure as a Special Judge with the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
The move came after the Delhi High Court, in May, directed the Delhi Police’s Joint Commissioner (Licensing) and the Delhi government to take a decision on his application within four weeks.
A Bench led by Justice Sachin Datta was dealing with a plea filed by judicial officer Ravi Dahiya, who had sought directions to the licensing authority to decide on his application, which had remained pending for over a year and a half.
In its order, the Court noted, “The limited relief sought by the petitioner is that the respondent No.2 (Joint Commissioner, Licensing) and respondent No.3 (Government of NCT of Delhi) be directed to decide the pending application of the petitioner for issuance of an arms licence. It is submitted that an application in this regard bearing No. ARML2023110118 was filed by the petitioner as far back as on 22.11.2023.”
Dahiya, a member of the Tripura Judicial Services, has been posted in Delhi on deputation in a civil department since 2023.
In his plea, he stated that he had served in “sensitive posts” and, as Special Judge (NIA), dealt with cases relating to terrorism, national security, and other serious offences.
He submitted that having held such a high-risk assignment, both he and his family were “highly susceptible to life threats.” His petition also pointed out that Tripura is “one of the most vulnerable geographical areas dealing with an upsurge of terrorist activities.”
Calling the lack of security “shocking,” the plea reportedly said, “It is shocking that the petitioner and his family are living with no security at New Delhi and this potentialises both direct and indirect threat to their personal safety and security.”
Taking note of the submissions, the Court had recorded the government counsel’s undertaking that a decision would be taken within four weeks from that day. The High Court accordingly disposed of the petition.
“The above redresses the immediate grievance of the petitioner. Accordingly, the present petition is disposed of in the above terms. The pending application also stands disposed of. Needless to say, if the petitioner is aggrieved with the decision taken by the concerned respondents, he shall be at liberty to take appropriate remedies under law,” the Court said.
Case Title: Ravi Dahiya v. Union of India and Ors.
Order Date: May 30, 2025
Bench: Justice Sachin Datta