Interim relief for Darshan as HC stays police order suspending gun licence
Bengaluru: In a significant interim relief to Kannada actor Darshan, the Karnataka High Court on Monday stayed the police department’s order suspending his arms licence issued under the Arms Act.
Justice M. Nagaprasanna passed the interim order while hearing Darshan’s petition challenging the suspension of his pistol licence, originally granted in 2008. The court issued notices to the state government and the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Administration), directing them to file objections. The matter has been adjourned to March 6 for further hearing.
The police had suspended the licence on January 20, 2025, after Darshan was granted bail in the Renukaswamy murder case. The suspension order stated that there was a possibility of misuse of the firearm considering the serious nature of the charges.
Appearing for the actor, his counsel argued that the order was based on unfounded apprehensions. It was submitted that Darshan had not threatened any witness or individual and that the weapon had already been surrendered to the authorities. “Merely because the petitioner is accused in a case cannot be grounds to presume misuse of a licensed weapon,” the counsel argued.
During the hearing, the bench observed that if Darshan had not been holding a valid licence, the petition might have been liable to dismissal. However, since the licence was lawfully obtained and had been in force since 2008, the suspension required closer scrutiny.
The court also noted the submission that Darshan’s bail had since been cancelled and that he is presently in judicial custody. In light of these developments, the bench granted an interim stay on the DCP’s suspension order until further orders.
The High Court clarified that the interim relief pertains only to the administrative action regarding the arms licence and does not impact the ongoing criminal proceedings in the Renukaswamy murder case.
With the matter now listed for detailed hearing in March, the state government is expected to place its stand on record regarding the suspension decision.
