Olympic Shooter Arjun Babuta Stuck in Four-Month Bureaucratic Delay for Rifle License
In a critical year where shooters worldwide are gearing up for events that offer quota berths for the Los Angeles Games, Indian shooter Arjun Babuta finds himself in a frustrating bureaucratic limbo. The Punjab-based athlete, who secured a commendable fourth-place finish at the Paris Olympics, has been waiting for over four months to have his new rifle added to his license, a mandatory step before importing the firearm.
Process Normally Takes 15-20 Days, But Delay Stretches to Months
Arjun Babuta revealed to TOI that he purchased the rifle from Germany in October last year and applied for the license addition in November. "This process normally takes around 15-20 days, as it has in the past," he explained. "I can't import the new rifle unless it is added to my license. Once it gets added, it will take almost 45 days more for the rifle manufacturer to send it to me."
The shooter expressed his distress, stating, "I feel harassed and desperate. Such delays will only push my preparations off track." He has visited the Mohali police department office four times but has received no concrete response regarding the status of his application.
Police Response Highlights Systemic Issues
When contacted by TOI, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mohali, Harman Singh Hans, acknowledged the challenge of tracking individual applications. "We get thousands of such applications every day, how are we supposed to keep track of individual cases," Hans said. Upon learning that the applicant was an Olympic fourth-place finisher, he remarked, "He should have contacted me, I would have done something."
However, Arjun Babuta countered this, stating that he met Hans on February 13, and the officer had acknowledged receiving the file. Hans responded, "I don't remember the meeting, but if I had told him that it will get cleared, then he should wait for some time, it will get cleared."
NRAI Calls for Implementation of Eased Licensing Norms
The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) secretary general, Pawan Singh, highlighted that such cases undermine efforts to support athletes. "The Ministry of Home Affairs through their notification have already eased licensing norms for athletes, but it is not implemented at the ground level," Singh said. He urged the ministry to intervene to ensure timely processing for athletes like Arjun Babuta.
This delay comes at a pivotal time, as shooters across the globe are intensifying their preparations for upcoming competitions that offer quota berths for the Los Angeles Games. The bureaucratic hurdle not only affects Arjun Babuta's training schedule but also raises concerns about the support system for elite athletes in India.
