R C Recreation Club vs The State Of Karnataka
2026 Latest Caselaw 3012 Kant

Citation : 2026 Latest Caselaw 3012 Kant
Judgement Date : 7 April, 2026

[Cites 2, Cited by 0]

Karnataka High Court

R C Recreation Club vs The State Of Karnataka on 7 April, 2026

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                                                                 NC: 2026:KHC-D:5119
                                                              WP No. 102272 of 2026


                      HC-KAR



                             IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA, AT DHARWAD
                                 DATED THIS THE 07TH DAY OF APRIL, 2026
                                                 BEFORE
                               THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ASHOK S. KINAGI
                             WRIT PETITION NO. 102272 OF 2026 (GM-POLICE)
                      BETWEEN:
                      1.   R C RECREATION CLUB
                           JAMAKHANDI, TQ. JAMAKHANDI 587301
                           DIST. BAGALKOT
                           BY ITS PRESIDENT-SRI SHIVARAJ S/O ANIL MANE
                           AGE 36 YEARS, OCC. BUSINESS
                           R/O SADANAND COLONY, JAMAKHANDI
                           TQ. JAMAKHANDI, DIST. BAGALKOT 587301

                                                                         ...PETITIONER
                      (BY SRI. CHETAN T LIMBIKAI, ADVOCATE)

                      AND:

                      1.   THE STATE OF KARNATAKA
                           BY ITS SECRETARY TO THE HOME DEPARTMENT
                           VIDHANA SOUDHA, BANGALORE 560001

                      2.   THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER
                           DC OFFICE, BAGALKOT 587103
VIJAYALAKSHMI
M KANKUPPI            3.   THE SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE
                           SP OFFICE, BAGALKOT 587103
Digitally signed by
VIJAYALAKSHMI         4.   THE CIRCLE POLICE INSPECTOR
M KANKUPPI
Date: 2026.04.08
                           JAMAKHANDI TOWN POLICE STATION
16:05:48 +0530             JAMAKHANDI 587301

                      5.   THE SUB INSPECTOR OF POLICE
                           JAMAKHANDI TOWN POLICE STATION
                           JAMAKHANDI 587301


                                                                       ...RESPONDENTS
                      (BY SRI. T. HANAMAREDDY, AGA FOR R1 TO R5)
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                                                  NC: 2026:KHC-D:5119
                                               WP No. 102272 of 2026


HC-KAR



     THIS WP IS FILED UNDER ARTICLE 226 OF THE CONSTITUTION
OF INDIA, PRAYING TO,


A)   ISSUE A WRIT OF MANDAMUS DIRECTING THE RESPONDENTS
NOT TO INSIST UPON THE PETITIONER TO OBTAIN LICENSE FOR
PLAYING SKILL GAMES LIKE CHESS, CAROM AND RUNNY EITHER
UNDER THE KARNATAKA POLICE ACT OR UNDER THE LICENSING AND
CONTROLLING OF THE PLACE OF PUBLIC AMUSEMENT ORDER.


     THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING, THIS
DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER:


                            ORAL ORDER

(PER: THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ASHOK S. KINAGI)

Learned AGA accepts notice for respondent Nos.1 to 5.

2. The petitioner is before this Court seeking for the

following reliefs:

a) Issue a writ of mandamus directing the

respondents not to insist upon the petitioner to obtain

license for playing skill games like chess, carom and

rummy either under the Karnataka police act or under the

licensing and controlling of the place of Public Amusement

Order;

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b) Issue such other writ / order / direction as

deemed fit, in the interest of justice.

3. Both the counsels submit that, the above matter

is covered by the order dated 22.02.2016 passed in

W.P.NO.101799/2016 (GM-POLICE) IN SRIMANTH

RAMCHANDRARAO APPASAHEB CLUB, JAMAKHANDI VS. STATE

OF KARNATAKA.

4. In view of the aforesaid submissions and in the

light of the decision in WP.No.101799/2016 (GM-Police) and

with a view to maintain parity, writ petition is disposed of

with following directions:

i. The petitioner shall install CCTV cameras at the

places of access to its members and also at all

the places, wherein game(s) is/are played by the

members within a period of six weeks. The CCTV

footages of at least prior 15 days' period shall be

made available by the petitioner to the

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jurisdictional police, as and when called upon to

do so.

ii. The petitioner shall issue identity card(s) to all its

member(s), which shall be produced by the

member(s), when called upon by the concerned

police, during the raid(s), surveillance, etc.

iii. The petitioner shall not allow any non-member(s)

or the guest(s) of the member(s), to make use of

its premises for the purpose of playing any kind

of game(s) or recreational activities.

iv. The petitioner shall not permit any activity by

any of its member(s), by indulging in acts of

amusement, falling within the definition of

Sections 2(14) & 2(15) of the Act and shall not

permit any game(s) of chance as per Explanation

(II) of Sub-section (7) of Section 2 of Karnataka

Police Act, 1963. The member(s) shall not be

allowed to play any kind of game(s) with stakes

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or make any profit or gain out of the game(s)

played.