The Bombay High Court has set aside the Pune Police Commissioner's order revoking the arms license of Manorama Khedkar, mother of former IAS officer Puja Khedkar.

On November 27, a division bench comprising Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Prithviraj Chavan directed the Pune commissioner to reconsider the matter, observing that the earlier notice had not been properly served to Manorama Khedkar.

Manorama Khedkar had approached the High Court challenging the cancellation of her arms license, alleging she was not given an opportunity to present her case. The court noted in its order that there was no evidence to confirm that the show cause notice, requiring her to explain why her license should not be revoked, had been served in accordance with legal requirements.

"Hence, the impugned order cannot be sustained," the HC said.

The case stemmed from a viral video showing Manorama Khedkar brandishing a gun during a dispute over land in Dhadwali village, which led to widespread public outrage. This resulted in her arrest on July 18 from Hirkaniwadi village in Raigad.

Manorama Khedkar, along with her husband and five others, was charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 307 (attempt to murder), 144 (unlawful assembly with a deadly weapon), 147 (rioting), 506 (criminal intimidation), and the Arms Act.

On July 23, the Pune Police Commissioner issued a notice to cancel Khedkar's arms licence, referencing the FIR filed in connection with the incident. A hearing was scheduled for August 2, but Khedkar, who was in jail at the time, could not attend. She was granted bail later in August.

The bench observed that since Manorama Khedkar was in custody, she could not appear before the police. In its order, the court quashed the cancellation of her arms licence and remitted the case to the Pune Commissioner for reconsideration.