Mumbai: The Bombay high court has set aside an order passed by the deputy commissioner of police (DCP) and the state government’s home department, cancelling the arms licence of a Powai-based businessman.

A division bench of Justice B.P. Dharmadhikari and Justice Sarang Kotwal was hearing a petition filed by Bhanup-ratap Singh, the Powai-based businessman.

According to Singh, he had been receiving thre-at calls from unknown since 1999. Singh had obtained the firearm license in 2002 from Uttar Pradesh. He also inform-ed the DCP, arms and ammunition department of the commissioner of police, Mumbai, about the possession of the firearm.

On July 25, 2008, Singh had accidentally fired a bullet, as the revolver’s trigger was pressed whi-le he was trying to take the revolver out of the car dashboard and his driver applied brakes.

Singh reported the incident at the Vakola police station. The police lodged a FIR under Indian Penal Code (IPC) section 336 and seized the revolver. An investigation was conducted and charge-sheet was filed in the metropolitan magistrate court of Bandra. On November 2008, DCP cancelled Singh’s license and  his appeal was dismissed by the appellate authority.

On March 2010, Bandra magistrate court acquitted Singh from the committing the offence punishable under IPC section 336 saying the petitioner was not negligent in handling the firearm.