APHC010607802025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI [3396]

(Special Original Jurisdiction)

THURSDAY,THE TWENTY SEVENTH DAY OF NOVEMBER TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY FIVE PRESENT THE HONOURABLE DR JUSTICE VENKATA JYOTHIRMAI PRATAPA WRIT PETITION NO: 31477/2025 Between:

1. THE KURNOOL CLUB, KURNOOL, KURNOOL DISTRICT REPT.

BY ITS SECRETARY P. BALACHANDRA REDDY ...PETITIONER AND

1. THE STATION HOUSE OFFICER, II TOWN POLICE STATION KURNOOL

2. THE DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE, KURNOOL, KURNOOL DISTRICT

3. THE SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE, KURNOOL, KURNOOL DISTRICT

4. THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REP BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, HOME DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT, VELAGAPUDI, GUNTUR.

...RESPONDENT(S):

Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed therewith, the High Court may be pleased to issue a writ, order or direction more particularly one in the nature of writ of Mandamus to declare the action of the respondent Nos.1 to 3 in interfering with lawful activities of the petitioner club including playing of 13 Cards even in spite of the game of Rummy is a game of skill and not the game of chance and thereby insisting the petitioner club to close down the playing card rooms as arbitrary, illegal and violation of Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India and consequently direct the respondent Nos.1 to 3 not to interfere with the lawful activities of the petitioner club including playing of game of Rummy with 13 Cards in the interest of justice.

Counsel for the Petitioner:

1. P NAGENDRA REDDY Counsel for the Respondent(S):

1. GP FOR HOME The Court made the following:

ORDER

The instant Writ Petition is filed by the Petitioner seeking indulgence of this Court under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for the following relief:

“....to issue a writ, order or direction more particularly one in the nature of writ of Mandamus to declare the action of the respondents 1 to 3 in interfering with lawful activities of the petitioner club including playing of 13 Cards even in spite of the game of Rummy is a game of skill and not the game of chance and thereby insisting the petitioner club to close down the playing card rooms as arbitrary, illegal and violation of Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India and consequently direct the respondents 1 to 3 not to interfere with the lawful activities of the petitioner club including playing of game of Rummy with 13 Cards in the interest of justice. ...”

2. Brief facts of the case are that the Petitioner is a Club established under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 represented by its Secretary. The club is managed by its President, Managing Committee and other honorary office bearers. The Club is situated at Kurnool and it is providing various day to day recreation activities to its members including cards room for its members and guests by organising game of skills like 13 card game (rummy) within the club premises. Further, it is purely game of skill and can play by the persons, who are interested in that game.

3. The grievance of the Petitioner Club is that the Police Officials are interfering in the day to day activities of the Club particularly with regard to conducting the Rummy game (13 Card) with stake within the club premises. Respondent Police are obstructing the lawful activities of the Club. Questioning the action of the respondent authorities, this Writ Petition is filed.

4. Heard Sri P.Nagendra Reddy, learned counsel for the Petitioner and Sri V.Farooq, learned Assistant Government Pleader for Home appearing for respondent-State. Perused the material on record.

5. At the time of hearing, learned counsel for the Petitioner would submit that the subject matter of this Writ Petition is squarely covered by the decisions of the Hon‟ble Supreme Court in Twin Cities Cinema Cultural Centre (Formerly Twin Cities Club), Jubili Hills, Hyderabad V. Commissioner of Police A.P.Hyderabad and others, 1. 2002(5) ALT 805 (D.B.) and The S