Dhoni asked to prove character to get 9 mm pistol

Ranchi, Nov 12 (UNI) Indian cricket team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been asked to furnish his character certificate if he wants to procucure a license for 9 mm pistol.

The authorities said the certificate was required in the wake of spurt in naxalite activities in Jharkhand.

According to Dhoni's family sources, Dhoni applied for the license in August, 2008 but official communication was received only after three months.

The Ranchi district arms magistrate dashed a letter to Dhoni, asking him to get a character certificate from SP (Vigilance), SP (CID) and SP (Special Branch).

The magistrate was toeing the line of the South Chotanagpur divisional commissioner Sheela Kisku Rapaz, who on September 23 last had declined the gun license of Dhoni and stated that his application for arm license would be considered only when his character certificate would be procured from the SP (vigilance) SP (CID) and SP (special Branch).

Generally, 9 mm pistol is a prohibitory weapon and supplied to police and Defence. The licenses of .32 and .22 bore are given to the civilians.

The Union Home Ministry can only issue license of 9 mm to the civilians folowing recommendation by the state government.

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