APHC010718782025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI [3396]

(Special Original Jurisdiction)

WEDNESDAY, THE SEVENTH DAY OF JANUARY TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY SIX PRESENT THE HONOURABLE DR JUSTICE VENKATA JYOTHIRMAI PRATAPA WRIT PETITION NO: 435/2026 Between:

1. ROYAL CIRCLE RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL SOCIETY, REP.BY ITS PRESIDENT, SWARAJ VIKAS RAO KOPPULA, S/O. K.S. RAJA RAO, REGISTERED OFFICE AT 1-397/1-A, MAIN ROAD, TORREDU, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM RURAL, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH.

...PETITIONER AND

1. THE STATE OF AP, REP BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, HOME DEPARTMENT, A.P. SECRETARIAT, VELGAPUDI, AMARAVATHI, GUNTUR DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH.

2. THE SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE, WEST GODAVARI DISTRICT AT BHEEMAVARAM.

3. THE DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE, WEST GODAVARI DISTRICT, AT BHEEMAVARAM.

4. THE STATION HOUSE OFFICER/CIRCLE INSPECTOR, PENUGONDA, WEST GODAVARI DISTRICT

5. THE SUBINSPECTOR OF POLICE, PENUGONDA, WEST GODAVARI DISTRICT

6. THE SUBINSPECTOR OF POLIC, ACHANTA POLICE STATION.

...RESPONDENT(S):

Counsel for the Petitioner: 1. K V RAJENDRA PRASAD Counsel for the Respondent(S):

1. GP FOR HOME The Court made the following:

ORDER:

This Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India with the following prayer for:

“.... to Issue an appropriate Writ, Order or Direction, more particularly one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus, declaring that the action of the respondents in interfering with the lawful activities of the Petitioner-Society bearing Regd. No.558/2016, situated at its premises in Godavari River Front, 2- 34, Near Siddantham Bridge, Dongavaripalem Village, and 2-72/1, Koderu Peddamallem, Peddamallem Road, Achanta Mandal, West Godavari District, including obstruction to play of game of 13 Cards Rummy running with stakes/syndicate by the Members of the Petitioner-Society, though such game is one of sill game and is permissible and harassing the members of the Petitioner- Society, as illegal, improper, arbitrary, unjust, contrary to the Judgments of this Hon'ble Court as well as the Hon'ble Apex Court, and unconstitutional, in violation of Article 19 and 21 of the Constitution of India and consequently direct the respondents 2 to 5, not to interfere with the Petitioner Society, including not to insist to dose down the cards room to play the game of rummy / syndicate (13 card game), in the interest of justice.”

2. Heard Sri K.V.Rajendra Prasad, learned counsel for the Petitioner and Ms.A.Jayanthi, learned Government Pleader for Home.

3. Learned counsel for the Petitioner would submit that the Petitioner society is duly registered and is conducting lawful cultural and recreational activities including the game of rummy with 13 cards. It is contended that the police are interfering with the said activities without any authority and are seeking to prevent the members of the association from playing rummy, despite the same being a game of skill.

4. Learned Government Pleader for Home would submit that the subject matter of this writ petition is squarely covered by the Order dated 16.12.2025 passed by this Court in I.A.No.7 of 2025 in W.P.No.11394 of 2024.

5. For ready reference, the relevant portion of the Order dated 16.12.2025 passed by this Court in I.A.No.7 of 2025 in W.P.No.11394 of 2024 is extracted hereunder:

“ 6. ………. the common gaming house is a place where a premises is established for purpose of gaming and wagering or betting now specifically includes any act of risking of money or playing stakes or otherwise on the result of a game or an event including on a „game of skill‟ and playing a game of skill with stakes is a punishable offence under the Act.

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8. …….. Respondent / Writ Petitioner is permitted to conduct card rooms for playing 13 card (rummy) game without stakes. However, the Police are at liberty to monitor the activities of the Petitioner – Club from time to time and take necessary action, in case of any violation of this order. There shall be no order as to costs”.

6. Hence, following