"As the dust on Indian front settles between other forum members", I would like to add few comments of my own observations.
First:
So far, based on first hand statements provided from different forum members, I came to conclusion that implementation of Indian gun laws and subsequent confiscation of imported fire-arms is not uniform and equal to all citizens - gun owners.
Some kept the guns (up to three?), some lost all in a hard way.
It could be for any reason: social status, religion, or even depending from state to state, for uneven law implementation.
Second, so far, it has not yet been verified if confiscation of fire arms has been adequately compensated by government, or not?
In my line of work on the rig I have met many Indian people. Possible few hundred.
I am fascinated with India as a country, I am also a hunter, and target shooter, so with many Indians I talked on subject of hunting, and sometimes target shooting, mostly with younger generation.
So, here are some of my observations, some details, and my subjective impressions, while remaining open to be corrected:
In my office on the wall I have a photo of myself and kudu which I shot in Namibia:
One of the Indian guys working for me, asked me if police caught me when killing this animal, was there any fine or imprisonment, and what happened with that rifle. (was it confiscated?)
Also, Many times I spoke of hunting in India with others, etc...
So, based on this, and other conversations my impression is that average modern Indian is not informed on hunting at all. Most of them comprehend hunting as illegal, and subject to police prosecution, and are not aware of possibility of legal hunting in other countries, or not even considering remote possibility having legal firearms hunting license in other countries.
Finally, of all Indians I have met, one had a rifle. Only one. Double rifle. And one box of cartridges.
He was fine gentleman of higher cast.
I asked if he ever fired a rifle, he said - never fired, but he keeps it in glass locker, and it is very fine gun.
I asked for how he manged to get permit for this:
Basically, living in rural areas, authorities may give the permit to own a firearms for purpose of self defence of animals.
In case animals is shot in self defence, meat, hide and bones belong to authorities, and shooting must be reported.
And, finally, in a real life, to get a permit, proper gifts, or gratitudes should be given to official, otherwise issuing of permit will take years, decades or entire eternity... which ever comes last...
Generally, my (again subjective) impression is that civilian gun ownership in India, realistically represents a STATUS symbol. Owning a gun is not for everybody. Probably not for lower cast.
And not surprisingly, gun & hunting culture is extremely low.
This are my impressions so far, but I could easily be wrong, and remain open to be corrected.