The Chhattisgarh High Court has taken suo motu cognizance of a disturbing trend: the unregulated sale of knives—such as button knives and punches—by vendors at paan shops, general stores, and gift shops in Bilaspur. Reports revealed that these sharp weapons were being sold with little to no scrutiny, often disguised as kitchen tools or bottle openers, and frequently purchased by minors. Over a recent seven-month period, Bilaspur witnessed 120 stabbing incidents, resulting in seven deaths and 122 injuries. The High Court emphasized that despite concerted efforts by the police, the unchecked availability of these weapons continued to exacerbate violent incidents arising from minor disputes.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Bibhu Datta Guru identified a clear threat to public safety and concluded that the existing response was inadequate. The bench highlighted that, while authority had been exercised under the Arms Act, a more robust and comprehensive strategy was essential to curb the escalating misuse of such lethal items. The easy access to knives, particularly in such commonplace locations, raised acute concerns about citizen protection and warranted stricter regulation and enforcement.
In response, the Court mandated that the Principal Secretary of the Home Department of the State of Chhattisgarh be impleaded as a party respondent. This inclusion underscores the responsibility of the Home Department for policing and regulatory oversight. The Court directed the Principal Secretary to file a personal affidavit outlining the specific steps taken—or proposed—to address and restrict the sale of knives. Additionally, the Court expressed alarm that online platforms were also facilitating sales of these weapons, further widening access. While the State’s Advocate General indicated that some action had already been initiated against online sales, the Court required a formal and detailed account of measures taken in both online and offline arenas.
To ensure compliance and further scrutiny, the matter has been scheduled for the next hearing on August 25. By issuing these directives, the High Court made it clear that public safety concerns arising from the unregulated knife trade cannot be permitted to persist and that regulatory mechanisms must be reinforced to prevent further harm.
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