Sri Lakshminarasimha Swamy Sports and Recreational Association v. the Government of Karnataka
Case brief
What is this about?
Writ Petition (GM-Police) No. 12498 of 2026, High Court of Karnataka, decided 21 April 2026 by Sachin Shankar Magadum, J. Recreational club/police interference matter: indoor games (Chess, Carom, Snooker) at registered association in Tumakur; police visits and alleged intimidation; directions modelled on D.V.R Recreation Club Vs State of Karnataka, W.A.No.20090/2015 (Division Bench) and W.P.No.21010/2023. Keywords: licence requirement for recreation association; CC TV/CCTV installation directions; 15 days footage preservation; member identity cards; games of chance vs games of skill; stakes/profit prohibition; Karnataka Police Act, 1963 S.2(14), S.2(15), S.2(7) Explanation (II); Articles 226 and 227; non-interference with lawful recreational activities; police liberty to visit premises; petition disposed with directions.
What did the court decide?
Writ petition disposed of with directions: respondents not to interfere with the lawful recreational activities of the petitioner-Association, subject to compliance conditions on the petitioner (CCTV installation within six weeks with 15-day footage availability, member identity cards, no acts of amusement under Ss.2(14)/2(15) or games of chance under Expl.(II) to S.2(7), Karnataka Police Act 1963, no stakes/profit except games of skill); jurisdictional police at liberty to visit premises and free to act in accordance with law against unlawful or immoral activities.