Kalmadi's wife only person to get gun licence in Pune city

Tainted MP Suresh Kalmadi’s wife Meera is the only individual who has been offered a weapon’s licence in the city over the last couple of years. This despite the fact that local authorities had rejected her application. Her application was however, cleared at higher levels. Now, the Pune police will be training her on how to handle her weapon.

Usually licences are awarded to sportspersons and those who have a perception of threat. Six other women in the city had applied for licences too, but their applications were rejected.

This information was received by dna from the administration department of Pune police when asked how many applications for gun licences were received from women over the last couple of months.

According to the Pune police, of the 150-odd applications received till August 2013, six were from women. Last year, only two women applied for gun licences.

One of the six women was Member of Parliament (MP) Suresh Kalmadi’s wife Meera, who had submitted application for firearm licence, claiming her life is under threat and she needed the licence for self-protection purpose. But initially, her application was rejected by the city police. Finally towards July-end, she got the approval from the Central government for the licence, according to sources.

At present, 11,035 people in the city have firearm licences of which 7,658 are for gun rifles, 3,263 for pistols and 114 for other firearms.A senior officer, on condition of anonymity, told dna, “Many women are filing applications for gun licences on the grounds that there is a threat to their lives. After cases of atrocities against women increased, we see women applying for licences for self-defence. When we call on them for inquiry, they say they want small firearms that can be carried in their purse.”

Explaining the process for who qualifies to apply for firearm licences apart from sportspersons for shooting events, the officer said, “One who has a threat to life and is well off socio-economically usually applies. Women are coming ahead and claim they are getting threat calls for extortion. Many of these women are from real estate business, businesswomen and IT sector. We check their three years’ income tax returns, for any criminal record and whether they have been attacked in the past. Those who get licences have to undergo training either by rifle clubs or association or a police officer from the headquarters will impart the training.”

Despite repeated attempts by dna to contact Meera Kalmadi at her residence, there was not reply.

Guns and the city
According to the Pune police, of the 150-odd applications received till August 2013, six were from women. Last year, only two women applied for gun licences.
At present, 11,035 people in the city have firearm licences of which 7,658 are for gun rifles, 3,263 for pistols and 114 for other firearms.