An application for renewal of her arms licence by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal's daughter-in-law and MP Sukhbir Singh Badal's wife Harsimrat has landed Gurgaon authorities in a controversy.

The licence, first issued by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate's office on May 28, 2002, was cleared against an Udyog Vihar address, where a five-star hotel is located. Under the India Arms Act, an applicant must be a resident of the area from where he/she wants an arms licence.

Harsimrat Kaur mentioned 443, Phase V, Udyog Vihar, Gurgaon (which is a hotel), in her original arms licence application of May 22. It was renewed against the same address in 2005.

The latest application came on September 26, 2008, and is addressed to SDM Jai Singh Sangwan's office. Finding a controversy in the address mentioned, the SDM's office has forwarded the application to the Gurgaon police for verification.

DCP (West) Rakesh Kumar Arya said: "We will act as per the prescribed rules and regulations. We will mention the property details as found after verification."

Gurgaon Commissioner Rajiv Sharma clarified that Harsimrat Kaur's licence could have been granted on the basis of the fact that she has a family property at Udyog Vihar, Gurgaon.

DGP Haryana Ranjiv Dalal and Home Secretary Feroza Mehrotra were not available for comment.

It is believed that Harsimrat was granted arms licence in May 2002 under pressure from high-ups as Haryana state was then ruled by Badals' close friend Om Prakash Chautala. Under it, she can have three types of weapons -- revolver, pistol and rifle -- and has an all-India permit to carry the same.

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