Sai Recreation Association vs The State of Karnataka and Others

Mohan M. Shantanagoudar, J.—Learned Government Advocate is directed to take notice for respondents. The petitioner is an Association registered under the Karnataka Societies Registration Act, 1960. The case of the petitioner-Association is that it is engaged in conducting sports and other cultural activities such as chess, dart game, snooker, carom, electronic coin games, poker, wall game, video games, rummy, etc., and other indoor games for the benefit of its members. It is the case of the petitioner that the respondents are insisting that the petitioner should obtain license either under the Karnataka Police Act or under the provisions of Licensing and Controlling of Places of Public Amusement Order, 2002.

Identical questions have been considered by this Court in W.P. No. 18625/2005, disposed of on 27.1.2006 holding that permission under the Police Act is not required to run a Society or a Recreation Club of the present nature and the petitioner need not obtain any license to run the recreation activities for the benefit of its members. Accordingly, the following order is made:-

The respondents shall not insist that the petitioner should obtain the necessary license for the skilled games such as chess, snooker, carom, rummy, and other lawful activities. But, however, that shall exclude the dart game, video game and electronic coin games.

This order however will not come in the way of the respondents monitoring the activities of the petitioner-Association. It is made clear that the respondents shall take appropriate action against the petitioner in accordance with law, if it is found indulging in any unlawful, immoral or forbidden activities.

Petition is disposed of accordingly.