IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE, ANDHRA PRADESH AT HYDERABAD (Special Original Jurisdiction) FRIDAY, THE SIXTEENTH DAY OF JULY TWO THOUSAND AND FOUR PRESENT THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE S.ANANDA REDDY WRIT PETITION NO : 12327 of 2004 Between: The National Cultural Club, Tanuku, West Godavari District, rep by its Secretary, Sri G. Srinivas, S/o. Pattabhirammanna aged 31 years, Occupation : Business, Resident of Tanuku, West Godavari District. ..... PETITIONER AND 1 The Superintendent of Police, West Godavari District at Eluru, 2 The Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Kovvuru, West Godavari District 3 Station House Officer, Tanuku Rural P.S. Tanuku, West Godavari District .....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 particularly, one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus declaring the action of the respondents in interfering with the activities of the petitioner club, particularly, obstructing the playing rummy with stakes/syndicate by its members, as arbitrary, illegal and unconstitutional 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 and grant such other necessary relief or reliefs as this Hon'ble Court deems fit and proper in the circumstances of the case Counsel for the Petitioner: MR.K.RAGHAVA CHARYULU Counsel for the Respondents: GP FOR HOME The Court made the following: ORDER: This writ petition is filed by the petitioner-Club aggrieved by the action of the respondents in interfering with its lawful activities, particularly obstructing the playing rummy with stakes/syndicate by its members and other guests. 2. At the time of hearing, it is represented that the matter is covered by a judgment of this Court reported in TWIN CITIES CINEMA CULTURAL CENTRE vs COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, ANDHRA PRADESH, HYDERABAD AND OTHERS (W.A.No.1167 of 2002) and therefore, sought for similar order. 3. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Pleader for Home. 4. In the above referred case, a Division Bench of this Court passed the following order: “…..the police authorities cannot obstruct the writ petitioner-Club from conducting card room where the members and guests of the writ petitioner’s cultural center are allowed to play the game of 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 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 disposed of accordingly.” 5. Following the said order, the writ petition is also disposed of in the same terms. _______________ 16.07.2004 VGB To 1 The Superintendent of Police, West Godavari District at Eluru, 2 The Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Kovvuru, West Godavari District 3 Station House Officer, Tanuku Rural P.S. Tanuku, West Godavari District 4 2CCs to the Govt. Pleader for Home, High Court Buildings, Hyderabad, (OUT) 5 2CD copies