MP High Court Overturns Bhopal Collector’s Order, Directs 1,000 Cartridges for Shooters

Bhopal: In a major decision favoring sports shooters, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has directed the Bhopal Collector to immediately issue 1,000 cartridges to each shooter affiliated with the Rifle Association of India. The order comes after a challenge to the administration’s reduction in cartridge allocation. The bench, headed by Justice Vishal Mishra, ruled in favor of the petitioners.

Background of the Case

Earlier, the Bhopal Collector had cut down the cartridge quota for 30 shooters, citing that the players were not participating in enough competitions. Under the Arms Act, specific quotas exist for shooters based on their category. Senior shooters can receive up to 1 lakh cartridges per year, keeping 50,000 at a time, while emerging players are entitled to 30,000 cartridges annually, with a limit of 15,000 at a time.

Petition by Shooters

The petition was filed by Ibrahim Javed Khan and three other Bhopal shooters. They argued that the quota reduction hindered their ability to train and participate in competitions effectively. A government counsel clarified that the quota could be increased if required, and the original 1,000 cartridges per shooter could be reinstated.

Court’s Order

Justice Mishra’s bench directed that all shooters listed under the Bhopal Rifle Association should be immediately issued 1,000 cartridges each. The court also added that once their cartridges are exhausted for training, the shooters can inform the Collector to receive additional cartridges.

This ruling ensures that shooters have sufficient ammunition for training and competitions, reinforcing the state’s commitment to supporting sports talent.