Disposed

Friends City Recreation Nyamathi-Surahonne v. the State of Karnataka

Karnataka HC22 Apr 2026WP/12639/2026

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

The High Court disposed of a writ petition seeking restraint on police interference in the petitioner's recreational club activities. The Court imposed conditions including installation of CCTV cameras, issuance of identity cards, and a strict prohibition on games of chance or stakes, while permitting games of skill and periodic police visits for surveillance.

What did the court decide?

Directions issued for installation of CCTV, issuance of ID cards, prohibition of games of chance, and liberty for police to visit premises periodically.

Friends City Recreation Nyamathi-Surahonne Vs… — Criminal Trial and Appeal | Karnataka HC (2026)

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NC: 2026:KHC:21997 WP No. 12639 of 2026

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HC-KAR

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU

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DATED THIS THE 22^ND DAY OF APRIL, 2026

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BEFORE

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THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM WRIT PETITION NO. 12639 OF 2026 (GM-POLICE)

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BETWEEN:

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FRIENDS CITY RECREATION NYAMATHI-SURAHONNE NYAMATHI ADDA RASTE, SURAHONNE, NYAMATI, DAVANAGERE - 577 223. REPRESENTED BY ITS PRESIDENT,

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MR. SREENIVASA. S., SON OF SIDDAPPA, AGED ABOUT 39 YEARS,

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OCC: AGRICULTURE, MAYAMMA DEVI NILAYA, BEHIND KEB GANESH TEMPLE DEVANAYAKANAHALLI (PO), DAVANGERE DIST - 577 217.

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…PETITIONER

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Digitally signed by CHAITHRA A Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA

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(BY SRI. HIREMATHAD MAHESHIAH RUDRAYYA, ADVOCATE)

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AND:

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THE STATE OF KARNATAKA REP. BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF HOME, VIDHANA SOUDHA, DR. AMBEDKAR VEEDHI, BENGALURU - 560 001.

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THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER. DAVANAGERE DISTRICT,

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DAVANAGERE - 577 002.

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NC: 2026:KHC:21997 WP No. 12639 of 2026

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HC-KAR

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THE SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE, DAVANAGERE DISTRICT., DAVANAGERE - 577 002.

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THE SUB-INSPECTOR OF POLICE, NYAMATHI POLICE STATION, HONNALI- TALLUK AND DAVANAGERE DISTRICT - 577 223.

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…RESPONDENTS

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(BY SRI. K.P. YOGANNA, AGA)

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THIS WP IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO DIRECTING THE RESPONDENT POLICE AUTHORITIES NOT TO INTERFERE WITH THE PEACEFUL RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES OF THE PETITIONER ASSOCIATION, AND TO PASS SUCH OTHER ORDER OR ORDERS OR DIRECTION AS THIS HON'BLE COURT MAY DEEM FIT AND PROPER IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE AND EQUITY.

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THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM

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ORAL ORDER

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The petitioner – a Registered Recreation Association

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has approached this Court under Article 226 of the Constitution seeking a writ of mandamus against respondent Nos.1 to 4, restraining them from interfering

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3 - NC: 2026:KHC:21997 WP No. 12639 of 2026

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HC-KAR

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with the lawful activities carried on by the Association. It is specifically contended that the activities of the petitionerAssociation are confined to indoor recreational games such as Rummy (card games) played legally, Chess, Carom, Billiards, Shuttle, Badminton, Gym, Weight Lifting, Table Tennis, Yoga, Power Lifting, Aerobic Sports and outdoor games such as Football, Kabaddi, Volleyball, Cricket, etc. conducted in the name and style of Friends City Recreation Nyamathi-Surahonne, and that no unlawful or prohibited activities are being conducted in the premises.

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It is the case of the petitioner that the

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Association is a duly registered Society under the provisions of the Karnataka Societies Registration Act, 1860 having been registered before the Registrar of Societies vide Registration No. DRDV/SOR/455/2025-2026 dated 03.03.2026. The petitioner asserts that the Association has been established exclusively for recreational purposes and is functioning strictly in accordance with its bye-laws.

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HC-KAR

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The grievance projected in the writ petition is that respondent No.4 – the jurisdictional Police Officer is repeatedly visiting the premises of the Association without any justifiable cause and is interfering with the peaceful conduct of indoor recreational activities. It is alleged that such interference has not only disrupted the functioning of the Club but has also resulted in intimidation and threats to discontinue the activities of the Association.

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Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner places reliance on the judgment of this Court in W.P. No.21010/2023, wherein, under similar circumstances, appropriate directions were issued by referring to the authoritative pronouncement of the Division Bench of this Court in D.V.R Recreation Club Vs State of Karnataka rendered in W.A.No.20090/2015 . In the light of the principles laid down by the Hon’ble Division Bench and the consistent view taken by this Court in subsequent matters,

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the present writ petition is disposed of with the following directions:

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HC-KAR

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a. The petitioner shall install within a period of six weeks, CC TV cameras, at all the places of access to its members and also at all the places, wherein game/s is/are played by the members. The CC TV footage of at least prior 15 days’ period shall be made available by the petitioner, to the police, as and when called upon to do so.

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

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c. 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 Karnataka Police Act, 1963 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 or

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NC: 2026:KHC:21997 WP No. 12639 of 2026

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HC-KAR

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make any profit or gain out of the game(s) played, except games of skills.

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d. The petitioner shall put proper mechanism in place and shall ensure that no game(s) is played in any unlawful manner by the member(s). If the police find that any of the game/s played is/are contrary to any law and in violation of the settled practice, it is open for them to take action against petitioner and the offenders, in accordance with law.

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e. The jurisdictional police shall have liberty to visit premises periodically and/or on receipt of any information about any unlawful activity being carried on in the petitioner’s premises.

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f. The respondents are directed not to interfere with the lawful recreational activities carried on by the members of the petitioner – Club/Association.

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