Hyderabad: Documents obtained under the Right to Information Act show that rifle associations are misusing the powers given to them by the Central and state governments and selling imported weapons in the open markets.
The issue came to light when RTI activist Y.V. Siva Kumar lodged a complaint with the Cyberabad police commissioner against the Rifle Association of Ranga Reddy district.
Import of arms and ammunition is strictly prohibited, but the Centre exempts sportspersons, renowned shooters and rifle associations.
Taking advantage of the exemption, rifle associations procure weapons and ammunition from the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) for use by their members.
The Centre allowed the sale of imported weapons by renowned shooters to aspiring or upcoming shooters after at least three years of use, with the NRAI permission.
The information provided by the Cyberabad police to Mr Siva Kumar under the RTI Act shows that the Rifle Association of Ranga Reddy district had sold some imported weapons to armouries since 2005.
The association sold a .22 JK rifle (771046) and a 12 bore DBBL (AG 0395 B) to Royal Armoury, a .22 pistol (L 39905 U), two 12 Bore DBBLs (AG 20074 B and 20077) to Gun Affairs Armoury.
The arms record
The RTI activist said that rules prohibited the sale of imported weapons to others for the purpose of sports. “Renowned shooters can give their weapons and ammunition to aspiring and upcoming shooters,” he said.
When asked about this, association joint secretary and custodian of arms D. Raj Kumar said that as per the proceedings given by the Cyberabad police commissioner, the association had sold the weapons.
“We cannot give it to aspiring and upcoming shooters because of damage. Only armouries can repair them for resale. The sold weapons were not in use. We did not violate any rule,” he said.
Cyberabad police commissioner C.V. Anand told this newspaper that based on the complaint given by Mr Siva Kumar, Special Operation Teams and other wings were investigating the matter.
A source from the Cyberabad Special Operations Team said that the case of the Ranga Reddy District Rifle Association was under investigation. “We are verifying records of imported weapons, ammunition and details of used cartridges. We are also verifying certain laws on the sale of imported arms,” the source said.
