( 1 ) THE question is whether the activities of a club or the activities of an association popularly referred as a club require licensing under the provisions of the Karnataka Police Act. the petitioner which is a registered society is formed by its members for playing games of recreation like carrom, chess, rummy, etc. The members of the public are not allowed as a matter of right or on payment to participate in the games. The recreational activities referred above are confined to the members of the club. The petitioner asserts that the respondents have been interfering with their activities frequently and have been insisting that a licence is necessary under the relevant Licensing order issued under the Karnataka Police Act. The respondents rely on the provisions of the Karnataka Public Amusement licensing Order issued under the provisions of the aforesaid Act.

( 2 ) THE licensing of any place under the said Order is requiredonly when it is a place of public amusement or it is a place of public entertainment. These are defined under Section 2 (14) and 2 ( 15) of the Act. They read as follows:"2 (14): 'place of public amusement' means any place where music, singing,