IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE, ANDHRA PRADESH AT HYDERABAD (Special Original Jurisdiction) THURSDAY, THE SEVENTEENTH DAY OF APRIL TWO THOUSAND AND EIGHT PRESENT THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE V.ESWARAIAH WRIT PETITION No.24930 of 2004 Between: Koduru Fine Arts & Cultural Association, Railway Kodur, Cuddapah District, rep by its Secretary, G. Pratao, S/o. Sri G. Venkateswarlu, aged 54 years, R/o. Rly. Kodur, Cuddapah District. ..... PETITIONER AND 1 The Superintendent of Police, Cuddapah - Cuddapah District. 2 The Station House Officer, Railway, Kodur Police Station, Railway Kodur, Cuddapah 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 or order or direction more particularly one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus, declaring the action of the respondents as illegal, arbitrary, improper and against the constitution of India and also to direct the respondents not to interfere the lawful activities of the petitioner's Association or its members and including playing of cards game by name Rummy and Bridge with stakes in the petitioner's association premises and to pass such other order or orders Counsel for the Petitioner:MR.RAJASEKHARA RAO MUDDADA Counsel for the Respondents: GP FOR HOME The Court made the following : THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE V.ESWARAIAH WRIT PETITION No.24930 of 2004 ORDER: Petitioner seeks to issue a Writ of Mandamus declaring the action of the respondents in interfering with the lawful activities of the petitioner’s Club or its members including playing of cards game by name Rummy and Bridge with stakes in the petitioner’s Club as illegal and arbitrary. It is stated that the game of rummy is a game of skill and it is exempted from the provisions of A.P.Gambling Act. Further, this court in EXECUTIVE CLUB, VIJAYAWADA Vs. GOVERNMENT OF ANDHRA PRADESH[1] held that the game of rummy is not a game of chance and therefore, the A.P.Gambling Act has no application. It is stated that the police authorities are trying to foist cases against the members of the petitioner’s club and see that the Club does not run its activities smoothly. It is stated that some persons are instigating the police to register false cases against the members of the petitioner’s club. Admittedly, there is no material to show that the respondents are interfering with the lawful activities of the petitioner’s club. In fact, the petitioner filed this writ petition only on mere apprehension for taking preventive action against the police authorities from carrying its lawful activities. However, if there is any information about unlawful activities, it is always open for the respondents to take appropriate action against the petitioner’s club in accordance with law. As the writ petition is filed only on mere apprehension, the petitioner is not entitled for any relief. Accordingly, the writ petition is dismissed. There shall be no order as to costs. __________ 17-04-2008 Prv ..... REGISTRAR // TRUE COPY // SECTION OFFICER To 1.2CCs to 2.2CD copies Form-NIC-OGS/WP{RLD} [1] 1998 (5) ALD 126