IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE, ANDHRA PRADESH AT HYDERABAD (Special Original Jurisdiction) FRIDAY, THE EIGHTEENTH DAY OF JUNE TWO THOUSAND AND FOUR PRESENT THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE S.ANANDA REDDY WRIT PETITION NO : 9961 of 2004 Between: Minigi Swamy, S/o.Late Gopalam R/o.Near Sub-Station, Autonagar,Gajuwaka,Visakhapatnam. ..... PETITIONER AND 1 The Govt. of A.P.rep.by its Prl. Secretary, Home Dept., Secretariat, Hyderabad. 2 The Superintendent of police, Vizianagaram. 3 The Superintendent of police, Srikakulam. .....RESPONDENTS Petition under Article 226 of the constitution of India praying that in the circumstances stated in the Affidavit filed herein the High Court will be pleased to issue a writ order or direction more in the nature of writ of Mandamus declaring the respondents in Vizianagaram and Srikakulam Districts in interfering with the exhibition of games of skill such as 1. Ring throw 2. Ball Box 3. Video games 4. Dart throw and 5.Steel games as illegal, void arbitrary and incontiavention of section 15 of A.P. Gaming Act 1974 and pass. Counsel for the Petitioner: Ms.M.P.VIJAYA KUMARI Counsel for the Respondents: GP FOR HOME The Court made the following ORDER: This writ petition is filed by the petitioner aggrieved by the action of the respondents in interfering with the activities of the petitioner in running skill games such as ring throw, ball box, video games, dart throw and steel game. 2. According to the petitioner, there is no prohibition in running the above skill games, which are intended to entertain the children and they are excluded from the provisions of the A.P. Gaming Act, 1974 (for short ‘the Act’), therefore, sought for a direction to the respondents not to interfere with the lawful activities of the petitioner. 3. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Pleader for Home. 4. In the circumstances stated above, the writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the respondents not to interfere with the above- referred activities of the petitioner, which are being run in accordance with law. However, if any activities of the petitioner are found in violation of the provisions of the Act or any other law, which is in force in the State, the respondents are at liberty to take appropriate action against the petitioner. 5. The writ petition is accordingly disposed of at the admission stage with the above directions. ASSISTANT REGISTRAR // TRUE COPY // SECTION OFFICER 18.06.2004 va One Fair copy to the Hon’ble Sri Justice S. Ananda Reddy (for his lordship’s kind perusal) To 1 The Principal Secretary, Home Dept. Govt. of A.P., Secretariat, Hyderabad. 2 The Superintendent of police, Vizianagaram. 3 The Superintendent of police, Srikakulam. 4 2 CCs to G.P. for Home, High Court Buildings, Hyderabad (OUT) 5 2 CD copies