Archive · 10 Nov 2025
Delhi High Court Quashes FIR Against US Army Employee Over Ammunition Possession
A man who works for the US Army was flying home from India.
When his bag was checked at the airport, they found bullets inside, but he didn't have a gun or a special permit for them.
The man said he didn't know the bullets were there because they belonged to his dad, who forgot to take them out of the bag.
His dad had a license for bullets.
The court agreed and said that if someone doesn't know they have something illegal, it's not a crime.
They let the man go and cancelled the police report against him.
The Delhi High Court quashed an FIR against Harmanjeet Singh, a US Army employee, for possessing ammunition.
Singh was found with 9 rounds of ammunition in his check-in baggage at IGI airport without valid documents.
The court emphasized that 'mere custody' without awareness of possession is not an offense under the Arms Act.
Singh's defense argued the ammunition belonged to his father, who had a valid license, and its presence was inadvertent.
The state confirmed the ammunition was lawfully possessed by Singh's father with proper documentation.
- Who
- Harmanjeet Singh, a US citizen and US Army employee
- What
- Delhi High Court quashed an FIR registered against him for possessing ammunition without valid documents.
- When
- The incident occurred on February 22, and the court decision was recent.
- Where
- Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, Delhi
- Why
- The court ruled that 'mere custody' without awareness of possession does not constitute an offense under the Arms Act, and Singh lacked conscious intent.
- Accused
- Harmanjeet Singh (US Citizen, US Army employee)
- Incident Date
- February 22
- Location
- IGI Airport, Delhi
- Ammunition Found
- 9 rounds
- Relevant Law
- Section 25 of the Arms Act 1959
- Court Ruling
- FIR quashed; 'mere custody' without awareness not an offense