By IANS,
Ranchi : After facing scores of problems in securing an arms licence for a prohibited bore weapon, India cricket skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni finally seems to have won his way with the Jharkhand government relaxing the norms.
Dhoni had applied for an arms licence for a prohibited bore weapon, issued by the government under special circumstances, in August this year. But in spite of being a celebrity, he was not issued the licence even three months on.
On the other hand, he had been asked by the Commissioner of Chhotanagpur region Sheel Kisku Rapaz to produce a character certificate.
In fact, a comment by Rapaz on the application of Dhoni had surprised everyone.
“First get the clearance from Superintendent of Police (vigilance), SP (special branch) and SP (CID) and then process the file. Verification is must in the given scenario that the extremism and terrorism cases are rising,” the commissioner had told Deputy Commissioner of Ranchi Rajiv Arun Ekka.
Reacting angrily to the officialese, a source close to Dhoni’s family had said: “Is Dhoni a small figure. It is ridiculous to verify Dhoni’s credentials and raise the issue of terrorism and extremism.”
Now, the authorities appear to have had second thoughts.
In a letter to commissioner Rapaz, Ranchi Deputy Commissioner Ekka said: “Dhoni is not a person of small stature and he does not need investigation into his character”.
Dhoni’s file has now moved forward and is expected to move to the state home department for final clearance, officials said.
After obtaining a prohibited bore licence, Dhoni plans to buy a 9 mm pistol. Dhoni already possesses a non-prohibitory bore licence which he was issued in 2006. As per law, a person can keep licences for three weapons.