Overview
- Justice Suraj Govindaraj allowed the writ by Michael Mahesh Chris Saldanha over a .32 calibre revolver owned by his 75-year-old father since 1971.
- The court held that once the licensee is over 70 or has held a licence for 25 years, a nominated legal heir may receive the licence without proving a threat to life, subject to a clean police report.
- It faulted the Mangaluru Police for twice rejecting the application on "no life threat" grounds even after the Home Secretary set aside the first refusal.
- The Commissioner of Police, Mangaluru, was directed to process the application under Rule 25(1)(b) and issue the licence within four weeks.
- The judgment clarifies that Rule 25 provides a distinct during‑lifetime transfer route separate from post‑death succession and limits discretionary conditions not found in the text.