The court gave the direction while disposing of a petition filed by advocate Khan Abdul Wahab who apprehended a threat to his life but was refused an arms licence.

The court has now directed the state to reconsider Wahab’s application and take a decision within two weeks.

The state government on Wednesday produced figures regarding the number of arms licences granted during the last three years. According to the figures, the state has issued 355 arms licences in the last three years. The court had earlier remarked that when there is danger, the police does not protect.

The petitioner advocate has defended two accused in the Gateway and Zaveri Bazaar blast case and also defends Emile Jerome in the Neeraj Grover murder case. He had applied for an arms license in August last year stating that he apprehended a threat to his life.