Growing gun culture in State a concern: HC takes aim at govt

A division bench comprising Justice N Kirubakaran and Justice VM Velumani made the observation while hearing a habeas corpus petition challenging the detention of a petitioner who has been committing robbery with others using illegal firearms.

The bench, suo motu impleading the Secretary, Home Department; Director General of Police; and Commissioner of Police as respondents sought them to answer within two weeks as to how many persons have been detained under Goondas Act for committing dacoity, robbery and other heinous crimes by making use of illegal firearms.

It also sought to know whether illegal firearms are freely available and supplied from the North Indian states like Bihar, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand and whether illegal arms are making their way to State from outside the country also.

While seeking to know as to how many persons have been given licence to possess guns in Tamil Nadu, the bench also sought an answer as to whether it’s a fact that apart from criminal and anti-social elements, Naxalites and banned organisations are also possessing illegal arms to create law and order problems, and clashes on religious and communal lines.

The bench, pointing out that robberies are taking place at gunpoint in various places of Tamil Nadu, especially Chennai, expressed shock over illegal gun manufacturing units being unearthed in Salem in January this year and the seizure of raw materials and other equipment from Kalrayan Forest Range.