IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE, ANDHRA PRADESH AT HYDERABAD (Special Original Jurisdiction) FRIDAY, THE FOURTH DAY OF MARCH TWO THOUSAND AND FIVE PRESENT THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE N.V. RAMANA WRIT PETITION NO : 770 of 1998 Between: M./s Chiran Fort, a Division of Bhagyanagar Hotels (P) Ltd., Rep. by its Chairman & Managing Director, K.Prem Sagar Rao, S/o. Raghupahti Rao, Age: 38. R/o Hyderabad. ..... PETITIONER AND 1 The Commissioner of Police , Hyderabad. 2 The Deputy Commissioner of Police North Zone, Hyderabad. 3 The Addl. Deputy Commissioner of Police(Task Force), North Zone, Hyderabad. 4 The Asst. Commissioner of Police, Panjagutta, Hyderabad. 5 The Station House Officer, Begumpet P.S., Hyderabad. 6 The Government of A.P., Rep. by its Secretary , Home Department, Secretariat, 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 order or direction and direct the respondents not to interfere with the lawful activities of the petitioner at premises No.s 1-8-333 & 334 Opp: Begumpet Police Lines, Near HUDA Office, Secunderabad, particularly the provisions enabling the Members and Guests to Play the Game of Rummy with stakes. Counsel for the Petitioner: MR.V.VENKATARAMANA Counsel for the Respondents: GP FOR HOME The Court made the following : ORDER: This writ petition is filed seeking a direction to the respondents not to interfere with the lawful activities of the petitioner at premises Nos. 1-8-333 & 334, Opp. Begumpet Police Lines, near HUDA office, Secunderabad, particularly with the provision provided by them to their members and guests to play the game of Rummy with stakes. When the matter came up today for hearing, none appeared for the petitioner. It is submitted by the leaned Government Pleader for Home that the subject matter of this writ petition is squarely covered by a judgment of this Court in W.P. No.23232 of 2004, dated 15-12-2004. The operative portion of the said judgment reads as follows: “…..Hence, the writ petition is disposed of directing that the respondents shall not interfere with the lawful activities of the members of the petitioner, namely, playing of rummy with 13 cards with stakes or in syndicate and in case, they are found to be playing any other game of skill, it shall be open to the respondents to take such action as is open to them in law. It is also made clear that under the guise of causing inspection, the officials or advocate-commissioners shall not be posted and the activities of the club cannot be crippled. Further, the respondents shall not insist on licence under Section 21 of the City Police Act, if the game is played by the members of the club alone. On the other hand, if any outsiders are found playing game in the club, it shall be open to them to take necessary action. No order as to costs.” Following the said judgment, this writ petition is disposed of for the same and similar reasons. No costs. ______________ N.V. RAMANA, J Date: 04-03-2005 Svv ..... REGISTRAR // TRUE COPY // SECTION OFFICER To 1 The Commissioner of Police , Hyderabad. 2 The Deputy Commissioner of Police North Zone, Hyderabad. 3 The Addl. Deputy Commissioner of Police(Task Force), North Zone, Hyderabad. 4 The Asst. Commissioner of Police, Panjagutta, Hyderabad. 5 The Station House Officer, Begumpet P.S., Hyderabad. 6 The Secretary, Government of A.P., Home Department, Secretariat, Hyderabad. 7 Two CCs. to the Government Pleader for Home, High Court Buildings, A.P., Hyderabad (OUT). 8 Two CD copies Form-NIC-OGS/WP{KCS}