Chhattisgarh High Court takes suo motu cognisance of unregulated knife sales in Bilaspur

The Chhattisgarh High Court has taken suo motu cognisance of a news report highlighting the unregulated sale of knives in paan shops, general stores, and gift shops across Bilaspur, which has allegedly contributed to the rising number of stabbing incidents in the city. The Court has directed the State to submit details of measures taken to curb such unregulated availability.

The Division Bench of Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Bibhu Datta Guru, while referring to a Hindi daily report, observed that sharp weapons are being sold freely by shopkeepers without any scrutiny or regulation. The Bench noted:

“Despite police efforts, the city continues to grapple with this issue, with incidents occurring due to minor disputes. The police have registered cases across various months, with notable incidents in Civil Line and Sarkanda areas. Furthermore, the easy availability of knives, both online and in local shops, exacerbates the problem. The authorities have taken action under the Arms Act, but a more effective strategy is needed to curb this trend. As such, stricter regulations and enforcement are necessary to prevent the misuse of sharp weapons.”

Background

According to the news report, shopkeepers are selling knives indiscriminately, including to minors, without verifying the buyer’s identity or intent. The report further revealed that Bilaspur has witnessed an “alarming and disturbing” rise in stabbing cases, with 120 incidents reported in seven months, resulting in seven deaths and 122 injuries.

Taking note of these facts, the Bench warned that such unregulated sales raise serious concerns for public safety. The State informed the Court that apart from offline sales, knives are also being sold through online platforms, and steps have been initiated to curb such sales.

In this context, the Court directed that the Principal Secretary, Department of Home, Government of Chhattisgarh, Raipur, be impleaded as respondent No. 6 and file a personal affidavit detailing the measures taken to address the issue.

The matter has been listed for further hearing on August 25.