IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE, ANDHRA PRADESH AT HYDERABAD (Special Original Jurisdiction) THURSDAY, THE TWENTIETH DAY OF MAY TWO THOUSAND AND TEN PRESENT THE HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE B. SESHASAYANA REDDY WRIT PETITION No.11663 OF 2010 Between: New Royal Sports & Cultural Association .....PETITIONER AND The Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad and others ....RESPONDENTS The Court made the following: THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE B. SESHASAYANA REDDY WRIT PETITION No.11663 OF 2010 ORDER: This writ petition is filed by New Royal Sports and Cultural Association seeking a writ of mandamus declaring the action of respondents in interfering with the lawful activities of it as arbitrary and illegal. 2. Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner as well as the learned Assistant Government Pleader for Home, appearing for the respondents. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submit that in similar circumstances, a Division Bench of this Court has clarified the legal position in W.A.No.1167 of 2002, dated 29.07.2002. The relevant portion reads as hereunder: “The police authorities cannot obstruct the Writ Petitioner – club from conducting card room where the members and guests of the Writ Petitioner’s cultural centre are allowed to play the game of rummy with stakes/syndicate (thirteen card game). At the same time, we make it clear that the police are always at liberty to enter the premises and check as to whether the cultural centre of the Club is conducting card room where the members and guests of petitioner’s cultural centre are playing the game of rummy with stakes/syndicate (thirteen card game), for the purpose of verification. If they receive any intimation, police may enter the Club and verify the same and proceed further if the members and guests of Writ Petitioner’s cultural centre play other than the game of rummy with stakes/syndicate (thirteen card game). The police authorities are also at liberty to proceed with the cases, which are already registered.” 4. Following the same, the Writ Petition is disposed of in terms of the directions given in the judgment in W.A.No.1167 of 2002, dated 29.07.2002. However, it is made clear that the respondents are at liberty to take appropriate action against the members of the petitioner – Association, if they promote any illegal activity at the premises of the petitioner – Association. There shall be no order as to costs. _____________________________ B. SESHASAYANA REDDY, J May 20, 2010 MD/YVL