M/S. Friends Recreation Association, v. The State Of Telangana,

THE HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE SANJAY KUMAR WRIT PETITION No.4705 of 2016 ORDER:

The grievance of the petitioner association in this case is that the police authorities are interfering with its lawful activities including playing of rummy (a 13 card game).

It is stated before this Court that the issue raised in this writ petition is no longer res integra in the light of the recent judgment rendered by this Court in a batch of cases. A copy of the order dated 29.10.2015 passed in W.P.Nos.30597 of 2014 and 22428 and 121 of 2015 is placed on record.

For reasons alike as were mentioned in the above order and in terms thereof, the writ petition is disposed of with the following directions:

1.

The respondent police authorities shall not interfere with the card game of rummy (13 card game) whatever be the stakes;

2.

The petitioner shall install video cameras and record the entire recreational activities in the premises of the association and preserve the said data at least for a period of fortnight so that the police can check the footage. The said C.C. cameras shall be connected with the jurisdictional police station and the Office of the Superintendent of Police for observation by the police to find out as to whether members of the association are indulging in the activity of gambling. If any of the gaming places is not covered by C.C. cameras, it is for the police to take action;

3. The police are entitled to enter into the premises of the petitioner association for taking action as per law in the event of there being any violation of the provisions of law by the petitioner and the petitioner shall not cause any hindrance to the police in exercising their statutory powers;

4.

This order would not come in the way of the respondents from taking action as per law; and 5.

Any deviation of the above guidelines by the

petitioner association will be construed as violation of these orders.

Pending miscellaneous petitions, if any, shall stand closed in the light of this final order. No order as to costs. ____________________ JUSTICE SANJAY KUMAR 1st March, 2016 IBL