JUDGMENT

S.B. Sinha, J.—Leave granted.

Introduction :

2. Scope and ambit of Article 131 of the Constitution of India is in question in these appeals, which arise out of a common judgment and order dated 16.03.2005 passed by a Division Bench of the Karnataka High Court in Writ Petition Nos. 5516-5117 of 2004 and Writ Appeal Nos. 29-31 of 2005, whereby and whereunder the appeals preferred by the Appellants herein were dismissed.

Background facts :

3. It is not in dispute that the States of Sikkim and Meghalaya commenced online lotteries, inter alia, in the State of Karnataka. It is, however, otherwise a lottery playing State. In exercise of its power conferred upon it under Section 5 of the Lotteries (Regulation) Act, 1998 (for short, the Act’) a declaration was made that the State of Karnataka shall be free zone from online and internet lotteries. By reason of the said notification sale of all computerized and online lottery tickets marketed and operated through vending machines, terminals, electronic machines and through internet in the State of Karnataka became prohibited with immediate effect.

Writ Proceedings :

4. The States of Sikkim and Meghalaya together with its agents filed writ