IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE, ANDHRA PRADESH AT HYDERABAD (Special Original Jurisdiction) THURSDAY, THE THIRD DAY OF MARCH TWO THOUSAND AND FIVE PRESENT THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE D.S.R.VARMA WRIT PETITION NO.3390 of 2005 Between: Citizen Recreation Club (Reg. No. 262/98) Narayankhed, Situated at H. NO. 11-5, Plot No. 154,K.G. Road, Narayankhed Medak District, rep by General Secretary Talkala Venka Goud S/o Ramagoud, R/o 1-5-10, Narayankhed, Medak District. ...PETITIONER AND 1. The Superintendent of Police, Medak at Sangareddy. 2. The Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Medak. 3. The CI of Police, P.S.Narayankhed, Medak District. 4. The SI of Police, P.S.Narayankhed, Medak 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 may be pleased to issue a Writ, order or direction more in the nature of Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents herein to for-bear from interfering/obstructing the petitioner-Club from conducting the card rooms where the Members of or guests of the petitioner-Club are allowed to play the game of rummy with stake/syndicate (13cards game) and also with lawful activities of the petitioner-Club by duly declaring the action of the respondents in interfering with the lawful activities of the petitioner-Club including playing of rummy game is nothing but arbitrary, illegal and violative of Article 14 of the Constitution of India and also contrary to the provisions of A.P. Gaming Act, 1974. Counsel for the Petitioner: MR.Y.NEELAKANTA REDDY Counsel for the Respondents: GP FOR HOME The Court at the stage of admission made the following: THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE D.S.R.VARMA WRIT PETITION NO.3390 of 2005 ORDER: The complaint of the petitioner, a Club, is that the respondents have been interfering with the activities of the members of the Club, particularly with the playing of Rummy (13 Cards Game). The Apex Court as well as this Court has held that the game of Rummy is a game of skill but not a game of chance and betting is also not prohibited. Having regard to the settled position as held by the Supreme Court and also by this Court, the Writ Petition is allowed with a direction to the respondents not to interfere with the game of Rummy if played by the members of the petitioner-Club. However, the respondents are at liberty to interfere with any other illegal activities as and when found in the premises of the Club. ______________ (D.S.R.VARMA, J) 3rd March 2005 RRB ASSISTANT REGISTRAR //True Copy// SECTION OFFICER Copy To: 1. The Superintendent of Police, Medak at Sangareddy. 2. The Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Medak. 3. The CI of Police, P.S.Narayankhed, Medak District. 4. The SI of Police, P.S.Narayankhed, Medak District. 5. Two CCs to G.P. for Home, High Court Buildings, Hyderabad (OUT). 6. Two CD copies.