Arrest of persons conveying arms, etc., under suspicious circumstances
Section 20 of the Arms Act, 1959 deals with arrest of persons conveying arms, etc., under suspicious circumstances. Where any person is found carrying or conveying any arms or ammunition whether covered by a licence or not, in such manner or under such circumstances as to afford just grounds of suspicion that the same are or is being carried by him with intent to use them, or that the same may be used, for any un The Act came into force on 01 Oct 1962.
Where any person is found carrying or conveying any arms or ammunition whether covered by a licence or not, in such manner or under such circumstances as to afford just grounds of suspicion that the same are or is being carried by him with intent to use them, or that the same may be used, for any unlawful purpose, any magistrate, any police officer or any other public servant or any person employed or working upon a railway, aircraft, vessel, vehicle or any other means of conveyance, may arrest him without warrant and seize from him such arms or ammunition.
Section 20, The Arms Act, 1959 (Act 54 of 1959).
Related judgements & precedents
These are some judgments that construed this section, and hold precedence value. They hold authority on how to read, interpret and use this section.
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Joby v. State of Kerala
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
Ker HC held Arms Act s.20 is not a penal provision—it only confers arrest power on police/public servants for persons carrying arms for unlawful purposes—and quashed Arms Act charges where s.27(1) was not made out (no proved use in contravention of s.5; licence-renewal interregnum) and s.20 had been mis-invoked as an offence.
On this section: s.20 — Arrest power for suspicious conveyance of arms; not a standalone offence
The holding above is the ratio decidendi as extracted from the judgment by eCourts India, reproduced unaltered — it is a rendering of the court's reasoning, not a substitute for its words. Read the order itself before relying on it.
Questions about Section 20
What have the courts held on Section 20 of the Arms Act?
Joby v. State of Kerala (05 Mar 2025) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: s.20 — Arrest power for suspicious conveyance of arms; not a standalone offence.
How do I find court cases under Section 20 of the Arms Act?
In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: Arms Act 20, section 20 Arms Act, section 20 of the Arms Act. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome. 1 reported judgment on this section is set out on this page, beginning with Joby v. State of Kerala (05 Mar 2025).
When did Section 20 of the Arms Act come into force?
Section 20 of the Arms Act, cited as Arms Act 20, came into force on 01 Oct 1962, having been enacted on 23 Dec 1959. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
Other sections of this Act
- 25. Punishment for certain offences1755 words
- 2. Definitions and interpretation734 words
- 44. Power to make rules681 words
- 24A. Prohibition as to possession of notified arms in disturbed areas, etc618 words
- 17. Variation, suspension and revocation of licences579 words
- 24B. Prohibition as to carrying of notified arms in or through public places in disturbed areas etc560 words
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 15 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.