Bombay High Court junks police order revoking Puja Khedkar’s mother’s gun license

The Bombay High Court has quashed the order by the Pune Commissioner of Police canceling the arms license of Manorama Khedkar, the mother of former probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar, and remitted the matter for fresh consideration.
The decision came from a bench comprising Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Prithviraj Chavan, which observed procedural lapses in the cancellation process.
The court directed the Commissioner to issue a fresh notice to Khedkar, allowing her an opportunity to appear and defend her case, and then decide in accordance with the law.
The case stems from an incident earlier this year when a video of Manorama Khedkar allegedly brandishing a gun during a land dispute argument went viral, leading to the registration of a criminal case.
Khedkar was arrested on July 18, 2024, and remained in custody until being granted bail by a Pune court in August. Meanwhile, the Pune Police Commissioner had issued a notice on July 23 to cancel her arms licence, citing the FIR and her alleged involvement in the criminal case.
During the High Court proceedings, Advocate Narayan Rokade, representing Khedkar, argued that the arms licence hearing scheduled for August 2 could not be attended by Khedkar as she was in jail at the time.
He pointed out that the notice served by the police was merely pasted on the door of her house, with no evidence, such as a panchanama, to prove proper service.
Additional Public Prosecutor KV Saste acknowledged the lack of documentation supporting the notice’s service. The court observed that the cancellation order relied solely on the presumption that Khedkar had chosen not to respond since the notice period had lapsed.
However, since Khedkar was in custody from June 18 to August 2, it was evident she could not have appeared before the authorities during that period.
Finding the procedure flawed and in violation of legal requirements, the High Court set aside the Commissioner’s order. It emphasised that the principles of natural justice demand that Khedkar be given a fair chance to present her side.