W Entertainment Private Limited vs the State of Uttar Pradesh and 2 Others — Allahabad HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

W Entertainment Private Limited vs the State of Uttar Pradesh and 2 Others — Allahabad HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Petitioner granted adjournment and leave to file a supplementary affidavit giving particulars; State to obtain instructions; matter to be listed on 13th April, 2026 as fresh. No final relief decided.

Issue for consideration

Whether the petitioner is entitled to a direction of restraint against interference with the peaceful running of its establishment for conduct of skill-based games, such interference amounting to violation of fundamental rights guaranteed under articles 19(1)(g) and 21 of the Constitution of India. +1 more

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Allahabad High Court (Arindam Sinha and Prashant Kumar, JJ.), Writ-C No. 11957 of 2026, decided March 30, 2026 - W Entertainment Private Limited v. State of U.P. and 2 Others: Petitioner, engaged in running an establishment for conduct of skill-based games, sought a direction of restraint against interference with the peaceful running of its business, alleging violation of fundamental rights under articles 19(1)(g) and 21 of the Constitution of India. Counsel relied on a co-ordinate Bench order dated 29th August, 2024 in Writ-C No. 3880 of 2024 (M/s DM Gaming Pvt. Ltd. vs. State of U.P. and 6 others) and on a subsequent co-ordinate Bench order dated 15th October, 2025 in Writ-C No. 35989 of 2025 (M/S Ssg Skills Arena Private Limited vs. The State of Uttar Pradesh and 3 others), the text of which is reproduced in this order and by which a similar petition was disposed of as covered by the DM Gaming order. On query, counsel for petitioner referred to paragraph 13 of the petition, stating that only lawful, offline card games of skill such as Poker and Rummy, involving no element of chance, betting or gambling, would be conducted at the premises. The Court granted the petitioner adjournment and leave to file a supplementary affidavit giving particulars, directed the State to obtain instructions, and listed the matter fresh on 13th April, 2026. No final determination was made on the prayer.

HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT ALLAHABAD

WRIT - C No. - 11957 of 2026

W Entertainment Private Limited

.....Petitioner(s)

Versus

The State Of Uttar Pradesh And 2 Others

.....Respondent(s)

Counsel for Petitioner(s)	: Yash Tandon
Counsel for Respondent(s)	: C.S.C.

Court No. - 29

HON'BLE ARINDAM SINHA, J. HON'BLE PRASHANT KUMAR, J.

Mr. Yash Tandon, learned advocate, appears on behalf of petitioner and submits, his client is engaged in running an establishment for conduct of skill based games. Prayer of his client is for direction of restraint against interference with peaceful running of the business, as otherwise it will be violation of fundamental rights guaranteed under articles 19(1)(g) and 21 in the Constitution of India. He relies on order dated 29th August, 2024 of co-ordinate Bench in Writ-C no.3880 of 2024 (M/s DM Gaming Pvt. Ltd. vs. State of U.P. and 6 others) followed by order dated 15th October, 2025 of another co-ordinate Bench, in which one of us was party (Arindam Sinha, J.) in Writ-C no.35989 of 2025 (M/S Ssg Skills Arena Private Limited vs. The State of Uttar Pradesh and 3 others ) .

Mr. S.C. Upadhyay, learned advocate, Standing Counsel, appears on behalf of State. He draws attention to petitioner's representation dated 15th January, 2025 seeking 'no objection'. He prays for adjournment to obtain instructions.

Text of subsequent order dated 15th October, 2025 (supra) is reproduced below.

"1. Mr. Rakesh Pande, learned senior advocate assisted by Mr. Yash Tandon, learned advocate appear on behalf of petitioner. Mr. Pande submits, his client is engaged in the business of accommodating participants of card games in poker and rummy. There is obstruction faced, whereby his client's fundamental right under article 19(1)(g) in the Constitution

WRIC No. 11957 of 2026

2

stands violated.

2. He draws attention to order dated 29th August, 2024 of coordinate Bench in dealing with Writ -C no. 3880 of 2024 (M/S Dm Gaming Pvt. Ltd. v. State of U.P. and 6 Others). He submits, his client's claim stands covered thereby.

3. Mr. Mohan Srivastava, learned advocate Standing Counsel appears on behalf of State and on query submits, the case stands covered.

4. The writ petition is disposed of as covered by order dated 29th August, 2024 (supra). Directions made therein are deemed to have been made herein as applicable."

(emphasis supplied)

On query, Mr. Yash Tandon refers us to paragraph 13 in the petition. Said paragraph is reproduced below.

"13. That it may be categorically stated here that the Petitioner will only run lawful business such as offering card games of Skill such Poker and Rummy and other skill-based games where no element of chance or betting or gambling are involved and will be running only offline business at the premises for the said purpose and nothing else."

Petitioner has adjournment and leave to file supplementary affidavit giving particulars. State to obtain instructions in the meantime.

List on 13th April, 2026 as fresh.

(Arindam Sinha,J.)

(Prashant Kumar,J.)

March 30, 2026

Saurabh Yadav/-

Digitally signed by :- SAURABH YADAV High Court of Judicature at Allahabad