IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE K.BALAKRISHNAN NAIR & THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE K.HEMA FRIDAY, THE 23RD MAY 2008 / 2ND JYAISHTA 1930 WP(C).No. 30254 of 2007(B) -------------------------- PETITIONER: ----------------- MANOJKUMAR D.N., S/O. NARAYANAN, AGED 35 YEARS, DHARMATHUMPARAMBIL HOUSE, ESI ROAD, ERNAKULAM. BY ADV. SRI.C.A.CHACKO SMT.C.M.CHARISMA SRI.N.A.SHAFEEK RESPONDENTS: --------------------- 1. THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, KOCHI CITY. 2. THE SUB INSPECTOR OF POLICE, ERNAKULAM TOWN NORTH POLICE STATION, ERNAKULAM. BY GOVT.PLEADER SRI.BENJAMIN PAUL THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 23/05/2008, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: WP(C).NO.30254 OF 2007 PETITIONERS' EXHIBITS: EXHIBIT P1: COPY OF RENT DEED DATED 17.2.2005. EXHIBIT P2: COPY OF REPRESENTATION DATED 4.10.2007 MADE BEFORE 1ST RESPONDENT. EXHIBIT P3: COPY OF RECEIPT DATED 4.10.2007 ISSUED FROM THE OFFICE OF THE IST RESPONDENT. /TRUE COPY/ PA TO JUDGE K.BALAKRISHNAN NAIR & K.HEMA,JJ. ----------------------------------------- W.P(C).No.30254 of 2007 ----------------------------------------- Dated this the 23rd day of May, 2008 JUDGMENT Balakrishnan Nair, J. The petitioner is running an outlet for selling lottery tickets. Alleging police harassment, this Writ Petition is filed. The learned Government Pleader, on instruction, submitted that information was received that the petitioner is selling single digit lottery tickets which is prohibited in law. Based on that information, a raid was conducted in the business premises of the petitioner. But, nothing illegal was detected. No crime was also registered based on that search. But, the learned Government Pleader pointed out that the petitioner is an accused in many crimes and he was in the rowdy list also. 2. Since the petitioner is running lottery business, the police must be conceded freedom to search his premises, if information is received that he is selling unauthorised and illegal lottery tickets. But, the said search shall be conducted in accordance with law. The Writ Petition is disposed of as above. K.BALAKRISHNAN NAIR, JUDGE K.HEMA, JUDGE vgs.