Finance ministry outguns CBI chief, cites poll code, denies him personal firearm

The government, it is learnt, also felt that since Sinha has Z category security cover, there was no reason to allow him a personal firearm while in service.

Sinha wanted to buy a weapon under a scheme launched by the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) in 2012 to dispose of some 800-odd confiscated, non-prohibited bore weapons to its officers and other police officers. The fact that some police officers may require firearms was specifically mentioned in the new guidelines.

As reported by The Indian Express in September 2012, the confiscated firearms were described by the CBEC as “non-performing assets’’, the disposal of which could generate income for the department.

Earlier, only members of Parliament and other VIP’s could buy such confiscated weapons but requests for them have been dwindling, resulting in a stockpile.

Reached by The Indian Express, Sinha said he has been told his request will be examined once the code of conduct is no longer in force.

“I presently have a Z-plus security cover and about six months are left before I retire. I feel I will need some personal protection and safety even after retirement and that is why I applied for the short weapon,’’ he said.

“I fulfill all the criterion laid down by the Ministry of Finance and customs and given the sensitivity of the post I occupy, personal safety is very much a concern,’’ he added.

Sinha’s predecessor A P Singh too had bought a small firearm from the customs department before he retired. He told The Indian Express that he paid Rs 2.5 lakh for a second-hand pistol, which included the weapon’s market price and customs duty, after the finance ministry allowed the sale.