HC seeks details on firearms allotment

The PFA petition challenging the sale of confiscated arms to politicians on the ground that it ran contrary to the policy and guidelines laid down by the Government.

In its affidavit today, the Department of Revenue had submitted its policy for allotment of confiscated weapons. ‘‘After allotting weapons to Customs officers, surplus weapons are sold to sitting MPs and other VIPs. The price is determined by the Pricing Committee.’’

Dissatisfied with the Government reply, the court directed its counsel to submit data as to how many of the 961 weapons seized between 1987 and 2000 had been allotted to the Customs and Excise Department officers, to other officers and the MPs.

The Revenue Department had earlier furnished a list containing names of 653 politicians, including some Union ministers, former and present MPs as those who had obtained weapons low prices.