IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE, ANDHRA PRADESH AT HYDERABAD (Special Original Jurisdiction) THURSDAY, THE TWENTY FOURTH DAY OF MARCH TWO THOUSAND AND FIVE PRESENT THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE D.S.R.VARMA WRIT PETITION NO : 5914 of 2005 Between: Viceroy Sports and Recreation Club, Represented by its Secretary M.Dayanand. S/o.Late M.Swamy, 34 yrs, R/o. 4-2-615 to 618, Ramkote, Hyderabad ..... PETITIONER AND 1 The Commissioner of Police Hyderabad City, Hyderabad. 2 The Deputy Commissioner of Police East Zone , Hyderabad. 3 The Inspector of Police P.S.Sultan Bazar, Hyderabad. 4 The Asst. Commissioner of Police P.S.Sultan Bazar, Hyderabad. ..... RESPONDENTS Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying that in the circumstances stated in the Affidavit filed herein the High Court may be pleased to issue a Writ of Mandamus or any other appropriate writ or direction declaring the action of the respondents in interfering with the lawful activities of the petitioner club as illegal and arbitrary and consequently direct the respondents not to interfere with the lawful activities of the petitioner club and pass such other order or orders. Counsel for the Petitioner: MR.D.KRISHNA REDDY Counsel for the Respondent Nos.1 to 4: G.P. FOR HOME The Court at the stage of admission made the following: ORAL ORDER: Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner as well as the learned Government Pleader for Home. 2. This Writ Petition is filed seeking to declare the action of the respondents herein, in obstructing the playing of rummy with stakes/syndicate by the members of the petitioner-club as arbitrary, illegal, and consequently direct the respondents not to interfere with the playing of rummy with stakes/syndicate by the members of the petitioner-club within the club premises. 3. Time and again, this Court categorically held that 13 cards game is a game of skill and the respondents shall not interfere with the playing of 13 cards game. Same is the view taken by in a Division Bench of this Court in Twin Cities Cinema Cultural Centre (Formerly Twin Cities Club) Vs. Commissioner of Police [2002(5) ALT 805 (DB)] in Writ Appeal No.1167 of 2002, dated 29-07-2002. 4. Therefore, the respondents are directed not to interfere with the lawful activities of the petitioner-club, particularly with the playing of 13 cards game with or without betting. However, the respondents are at liberty to interfere with the unlawful activities, if any, going on in the petitioner-club and to take appropriate action in that regard. 5. With the above observation and direction, the writ petition is disposed of, at the stage of admission. However, there shall be no order as to costs. _________________ D.S.R. VARMA, J 24TH MARCH 2005 ISN ASSISTANT REGISTRAR // TRUE COPY // SECTION OFFICER To 1 The Commissioner of Police Hyderabad City, Hyderabad. 2 The Deputy Commissioner of Police East Zone , Hyderabad. 3 The Inspector of Police P.S.Sultan Bazar, Hyderabad. 4 The Asst. Commissioner of Police P.S.Sultan Bazar, Hyderabad. 5 Two CCs to G.P. for Home, High Court Buildings, Hyderabad (OUT). 6 Two CD copies