K.A. Mohamed Shafi, J.

Since the contentions raised in all these Crl.M.C.s. are identical, they are heard and disposed of by this common order, though the petitioners in these M.Cs. are different. In all these cases the petitioners who are the accused are standing trial for the offences punishable under Ss.7 and 8 of the Kerala Gaming Act.

2. Crl.M.C.1149/2000 is filed by the accused in S.T. No. 202/2000 on the file of the Judicial First Class Magistrate's Court, Ettumanoor to quash the entire proceedings against them. The allegation made against the petitioners is that on 3.1.2000 petitioners 1 to 11 were found engaged in gaming at the Jyothis Arts and Sports Club situated in building No. 118, Ward No. 9 of Kidangoor Panchayat owned by the 12th petitioner-nth accused and the playing cards and amount found were seized and the accused were

arrested.

3. The petitioner in Crl.M.C. No. 1360/2000 is accused No. 16 in S.T.C. No. 8/99 on the file of the judicial First Class Magistrate's Court-I, Kannur. The allegation made against him is that on 22.8.98 at about 5.15 p.m. accused Nos.1 to 17 were found engaged in gaming for gain in the upstair portion of building No. PP X/485 of P