Chhatisgarh HC Monitors State Crackdown On Illegal Knife Sales Through E-Commerce Platforms [Read Order]

Chhatisgarh: The High Court of Chhattisgarh has expressed concern over the alarming rise in arms-related cases while monitoring the state’s efforts to curb illegal sale of sharp-edged weapons through online platforms and local markets.

Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Bibhu Datta Guru addressed the suo moto public interest litigation (WPPIL No. 69 of 2025) on August 25, 2025, reviewing comprehensive data that revealed a disturbing trend in weapons-related crimes across the state.

The court had earlier directed the Principal Secretary, Department of Home, to file a personal affidavit regarding a news item published in Bilaspur Bhaskar on August 14, 2025, concerning the sale of sharp-edged weapons.

In response, the Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Home, Government of Chhattisgarh, filed a detailed affidavit revealing extensive police operations against illegal knife sales. The affidavit stated, “The knives are being illegally sold on various online sites and platforms and further there are instances of the knives being sold in some shops.”

The state revealed proactive measures taken against e-commerce platforms, with the police administration “repeatedly making requests to the concerned officials of the online sites/platforms to provide the list of the persons at whose request the knives (except kitchen knives) have been delivered by them.”

The court noted that on April 17, 2025, authorities made formal requests to major e-commerce platforms. The affidavit detailed, “A request was made to the nodal officer of Amazon, Flipkart, Snapdeal, Shopclues, E-Commerce sites, wherein a specific request was made to provide the name, address, and mobile number of the customers who have ordered knives for the period between January 1, 2025 to 17.04.2025.”

Following up on their initial efforts, authorities repeated their request on July 16, 2025, seeking customer details “who purchased knives during the period from May 1, 2025, to July 16, 2025.” The state reported partial compliance, noting, “Some of the E-Commerce sites provided the list of the customers to whom the knives have been delivered.”

The enforcement efforts yielded significant results. The affidavit revealed, “After receipt of the above mentioned information from the E-Commerce sites the police issued notices to the individuals to whom the knives had been delivered by the E-Commerce sites and the police seized the knives which were not in the nature of kitchen knives/utility knives.”

The scale of the operation was substantial, with authorities recording “statements of 193 persons” and seizing “a total of 211 knives from them.”

Physical inspections of local establishments also uncovered violations. The state reported, “Surprise checks were conducted by the police of various police stations in Bilaspur district in various shops and during the course of such check one case was registered under section 25 of the Arms Act in the Police Station Torwa against one shopkeeper, wherein he was found in possession of 12 pieces of spring button knives.”

Additional arrests followed in July 2025, with “two persons found in possession of 10 pieces of spring button knives” leading to offences registered in Police Station Tarbahar.

The court reviewed alarming statistical data revealing the scope of the weapons problem. For Bilaspur District alone, the figures showed a concerning trend:

• 2023: 225 cases under the Arms Act with various arms seized
• 2024: 216 cases with 226 arms/weapons/sharp objects seized
• 2025 (through August 17): 235 cases with 250 articles seized

The violence associated with these weapons was equally disturbing. The state reported that “for the period of 01.01.2025 to 30.06.2025 total 32 cases relating to knife attacks have been registered and the accused persons have been apprehended by the police.”

At the state level, the numbers were even more staggering. The affidavit revealed, “In the year 2024 total 1399 cases were registered under the provisions of the Arms Act 1959” while “for the period 01.01.2025 to 30.06.2025 total 677 cases have been registered.”

The court acknowledged the state’s ongoing efforts, noting that authorities were “regularly carrying out surveys, and the police are also conducting surprise checks, pickets, and other measures so that the criminal activities can be minimized.”

However, the judges expressed serious concern about the overall situation. The bench observed, “The aforesaid data shows an alarming picture of the situation prevailing in the society, though the State appears to be taking adequate measures so that such dangerous weapons are not sold in open markets/online platforms.”

The court emphasized the need for continued vigilance, stating, “We further hope and trust that the State and its agencies would be more vigilant and take positive steps in curbing the aforesaid menace which would, in turn, help reduce crimes relating to the Arms Act in society.”

The court has scheduled the matter for further monitoring on September 22, 2025.

Mr. Prafull N Bharat, Advocate General, assisted by Mr. Shashank Thakur, Deputy Advocate General, represented the state in the proceedings.

Case Title: In The Matter Of Suo Moto Public Interest Litigation vs. State Of Chhattisgarh & Others

[Read Order]