- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:24814 WP No. 19022 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 8TH DAY OF JULY, 2025 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S SUNIL DUTT YADAV WRIT PETITION NO. 19022 OF 2025 (GM-POLICE) BETWEEN: SREE LAKSHMI RANGANATHA SPORTS AND RECREATION ASSOCIATION, HAVING ITS ASSOCIATION AT #4/1, MANAGI, GRAMA, K PLASANDRA, ANCHE, GULUR HOBLI, TUMAKURU TALUK AND DISTRICT, REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY. SRI. T. SREENIVAS, S/O LATE THIMMARAJU, R/O 5TH CROSS, TANK ROAD, INFRONT OF URDU SCHOOL, UPPARHALLI, TUMAKURU TOWN, TUMAKURU - 572 102. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. PREM KUMAR B, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA DEPARTMENT OF HOME, BY ITS SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT KARNATAKA, M.S. BUILDING, BENGALURU - 560 001. 2. THE SUPERINTEND OF POLICE TUMAKURU DISTRICT, TUMAKURU - 572 216. Digitally signed by PRAKASH N Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:24814 WP No. 19022 of 2025 3. THE INSPECTOR OF POLICE TUMAKURU RURAL POLICE STATION, TUMAKURU TALUK TUMAKURU - 572 102. …RESPONDENTS (BY SMT. K.P. YASHODHA, AGA) THIS WP IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO ISSUE A WRIT IN THE NATURE OF MANDAMUS OR ANY OTHER APPROPRIATED WRIT ORDER OR DIRECTION, DIRECTING THE RESPONDENTS NOT TO INSIST UPON THE PETITIONER TO OBTAIN LICENSE FOR PLAYING GAMES OF SKILLS GAME, CHESS, CAROM, CARDS (RUMMY) TABLE TENNIS POKER, MAHJONG, SUDKO JOKER BONUS, BRIDGE, CHINESE CHECKER, FANTASTICE 111 PLAYED WITH 3 DICE, BALL DART GAMES ELECTRONIC/COMPUTER POKER GAME TABLE TENNIS CARDS VIDEO GAMES POKER SNOOKER, POOL GAME, BILLIARDS, PING PONG, JOKER BONUS GAMES AND OTHER INDOOR GAME ETC., IN THE PETITIONER ON SCHEDULE PROPERTY EITHER UNDER THE KARNATAKA POLICE ACT, OR UNDER THE LICENSING AND CONTROLLING OF PUBLIC AMUSEMENT ORDER AND ETC., THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:24814 WP No. 19022 of 2025 CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S SUNIL DUTT YADAV ORAL ORDER Learned Additional Government Advocate accepts notice for the respondents. 2. The petitioner submits that it is registered under the provisions of the Karnataka Society Registration Act, 1960. The petitioner has sought for issuance of writ in the nature of mandamus to direct the respondents not to insist upon the petitioner to obtain license neither under Karnataka Police Act or Licensing and Controlling of Public Amusement Order; petitioner also sought for writ in the nature of mandamus to direct the respondents not interfere with the recreation activities in the schedule premises. 3. It is asserted by the petitioner that they have been carrying on lawful business by obtaining lawful licence. 4. It is a settled position in law that once the activities of Members of petitioner's Association are being carried on lawfully, the question of respondent-Police interfering would not arise unless the activities contravene any provisions of law. - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:24814 WP No. 19022 of 2025 Needless to state that, it is always open to the respondent- Authorities to exercise the powers vested in them, if they have information regarding commission of offence or violation of law. Such action of the respondent Police cannot be considered to be interference. 5. Noticed the observations made in W.P.No.18625/2005 wherein it is held that license either under the Police Act or under the Licensing and Controlling of Places of the Public Amusement Order is not required to run the Society or recreational club. 6. Accordingly, observing that the respondents not to interfere with the affairs of the petitioner except as is permissible in law, the petition is disposed off. It is also made clear that in the event the petitioner is carrying on any game of chance, respondents-Authorities to enquire into the matter and petitioner to co-operate with the same. Sd/- (S SUNIL DUTT YADAV) JUDGE VM List No.: 1 Sl No.: 13 CT: BHK