IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE, ANDHRA PRADESH AT HYDERABAD (Special Original Jurisdiction) FRIDAY, THE NINTH DAY OF JULY TWO THOUSAND AND TEN PRESENT: THE HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE B. SESHASAYANA REDDY WRIT PETITION No.16335 of 2010 Between: L.H. Bhimavaram Town Hall, rep. by its President, G. Sesha Rao ... PETITIONER a n d The Superintendent of Police, Eluru, West Godavari district. … RESPONDENTS ORDER: This writ petition has been filed by L.H. Bhimavaram Town Hall, represented by its President, G. Sesha Rao with a prayer to issue an order, writ or direction more particularly in the nature of writ of Mandamus declaring the action of the respondents in interfering with its legal activities as illegal and arbitrary. 2. The petitioner club was established in the year 1939 having got registered under the provisions of Societies Registration Act of 1860 with registration No.15/1939-40. It is the contention of the petitioner club that its members are playing only 13 cards Rummy and as the game of 13 cards rummy is not a game of chance, the respondents cannot interfere with its activities. 3. When the writ petition came up for admission, the learned Assistant Government Pleader for Home takes notice on behalf of the respondents. 4. Heard the learned counsel appearing for the parties. 5. It has been represented by the learned counsel for the petitioner that the issue involved in this writ petition is squarely covered by a Judgment of Division Bench of this Court in Writ Appeal No.1167 of 2002, dated 29-07-2002, wherein it was held as follows: “Therefore, the police authorities cannot obstruct the writ petition-club from conducting card room where the members and guests of the writ petitioner’s cultural center are allowed to play he game rummy with stakes syndicate (thirteen card game). At the same time, we make it clear that the police is always at liberty to enter the premises and check as to whether the cultural center of the club is conducting card room where the members and guests of the petitioner’s cultural center are playing the game of rummy with stakes/syndicate (thirteen card game), for the purpose of verification. If they receive any intimation, the police may enter the club and verify the same and proceed further if the members and guests of writ petitioner’s cultural center 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. The Writ Appeal is dispose of accordingly.” 6. Following the same, and for the reasons mentioned therein, the writ petition is disposed of in terms of the above decision of the Division Bench. However, it is made clear that the respondents are at liberty to take appropriate action against the members of the petitioner-Club if they promote any illegal activity at the premises of the petitioner-Club. There shall be no order as to costs. ___________________________ B. SESHASAYANA REDDY, J July 09, 2010. PN THE HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE B. SESHASAYANA REDDY WRIT PETITION No.16335 of 2010 July 09, 2010