Karnataka High Court
Devanahalli Olangana Kreeda Sanga R vs State Of Karnataka on 2 December, 2025
Author: Suraj Govindaraj
Bench: Suraj Govindaraj
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NC: 2025:KHC:50274
WP No. 31184 of 2024
HC-KAR
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU
DATED THIS THE 2ND DAY OF DECEMBER, 2025
BEFORE
THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURAJ GOVINDARAJ
WRIT PETITION NO. 31184 OF 2024 (GM-POLICE)
BETWEEN:
1. DEVANAHALLI OLANGANA KREEDA SANGA R
SHANTHINAGAR, DEVANAHALLI TOWN
DEVANAHALLI TALUK
BANGALORE RURAL DISTRICT-562110
REP. BY ITS PRESIDENT
SRI. LAKSHMI NARAYAN
...PETITIONER
(BY SRI. KARTHIK B Y., ADVOCATE)
AND:
1. STATE OF KARNATAKA
HOME DEPARTMENT
VIDHANA SOUDHA
BANGALORE -560001
REP. BY ITS SECRETARY
Digitally signed 2. SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE
by SHWETHA DEVANAHALLI , BANGALORE RURAL DISTRICT-562110.
RAGHAVENDRA
Location: HIGH
COURT OF 3. DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE
KARNATAKA DEVANAHALLI
BANGALORE RURAL DISTRICT- 562110.
4. CIRCLE POLICE INSPECTOR
DEVANAHALLI, BANGALORE RURAL DISTRICT- 562110.
5. SUB INSPECTOR OF POLICE
DEVANAHALLI, BANGALORE RURAL DISTRICT- 562110
...RESPONDENTS
(BY SMT K P YASHODHA., AGA FOR RESPONDENT)
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NC: 2025:KHC:50274
WP No. 31184 of 2024
HC-KAR
THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227
OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO DIRECT THE
RESPONDENTS NOT TO INSIST UPON THE PETITIONER TO OBTAIN
THE LICENSE TO CARRY ON LAWFUL ACTIVITIES IN THE PREMISES
OF THE PETITIONER ASSOCIATION, EITHER UNDER POLICE ACT OR
UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF LICENSING AND CONTROLLING OF
PLACES OF PUBLIC AMUSEMENT ORDER AND NOT TO INTERFERE IN
THE PLAY OF SKILLED ORIENTED GAMES LIKE RUMMY. CAROM,
SNOOKER, CHESS AND GAMES WHICH ARE THE GAMES OF SKILL AS
HELD BY THIS HONBLE COURT IN VARIOUS WRIT PETITIONS AND
ETC.
THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING,
THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER:
CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURAJ GOVINDARAJ
ORAL ORDER
1. The petitioners are before this Court seeking for the following reliefs:
i. issue a Writ of Mandamus or any other appropriate Writ, Order or direction directing the respondents not to insist upon the petitioner to obtain the license to carry on lawful activities in the premises of the Petitioner association, either under Police Act or under the Provisions of Licensing and Controlling of Places of Public Amusement Order and not to interfere in the play of skilled oriented games like Rummy, Carom, Snooker, Chess and games which are the games of skill as held by this Hon'ble Court in various Writ Petitions. ii. Declare that the Petitioner association does not require any license from the respondent to carry on the lawful activities at the Petitioners association premises.-3-
NC: 2025:KHC:50274 WP No. 31184 of 2024 HC-KAR
2. Learned AGA on instructions submits that the club is running and functioning, and compliance has also been made with the applicable norms.
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 settled legal position governing recreational clubs and gaming activities, the writ petition is disposed of subject to the following mandatory terms, safeguards, and regulatory conditions, which shall be scrupulously complied with by the petitioner without any default:
5. Surveillance, CCTV Installation & Data Preservation -4- NC: 2025:KHC:50274 WP No. 31184 of 2024 HC-KAR 5.1. Installation of CCTV System: The petitioner shall, within a period of six (6) weeks from the date of receipt of this order, install fully functional Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras at:
5.1.1. All points of ingress and egress; 5.1.2. All common areas; and 5.1.3. All locations where any game or recreational activity is carried on by the members.
5.2. The CCTV system shall be equipped with date-
and-time stamping and shall remain in continuous working condition at all material times.
5.3. The CCTV footage shall be securely preserved for a minimum continuous period of fifteen (15) days.
5.4. The petitioner shall produce such CCTV footage forthwith before the jurisdictional police or any -5- NC: 2025:KHC:50274 WP No. 31184 of 2024 HC-KAR authorised officer whenever lawfully called upon to do so.
5.5. Any tampering, disabling, destruction, alteration, or failure to preserve CCTV footage shall constitute a grave violation and shall invite action in accordance with law.
6. Membership Identity, Verification & Access Control 6.1. Issuance of Identity Cards: The petitioner shall issue tamper-proof identity cards to every member, containing:
6.1.1. Photograph;
6.1.2. Unique membership number; 6.1.3. Validity period; and 6.1.4. Club seal and security authentication. 6.2. Every member shall carry the identity card at all times while present in the premises and shall produce the same upon demand before the -6- NC: 2025:KHC:50274 WP No. 31184 of 2024 HC-KAR jurisdictional police during any raid, inspection, surveillance, or verification. 6.3. The petitioner shall maintain a digitally updated membership register, which shall be produced for police verification whenever required.
7. Absolute Prohibition on Entry of Non-Members & Guests: The petitioner shall not permit any non-
member to enter or make use of the premises for the purpose of playing any game or participating in any recreational activity, including: 7.1. Guests;
7.2. Temporary visitors;
7.3. Invitees; or 7.4. Proxy players,
8. The petitioner shall display conspicuous notice boards at all entry points stating that: "Only valid members are permitted. Entry of guests and outsiders for gaming activities is strictly prohibited." -7-
NC: 2025:KHC:50274 WP No. 31184 of 2024 HC-KAR
9. Prohibition on Games of Chance, Stakes, Wagering & Amusement Activities:
9.1. The petitioner shall not permit any activity falling within the definition of "amusement"
under Sections 2(14) and 2(15) of the Karnataka Police Act, 1963. 9.2. The petitioner shall not permit any game of chance as defined under Explanation (II) to Section 2(7) of the Karnataka Police Act, 1963. 9.3. Members shall not be permitted to play any game:
9.3.1. With stakes;
9.3.2. With betting or wagering; 9.3.3. For prize money;
9.3.4. For any monetary or property-based gain, whether in cash or in kind.
9.4. The petitioner shall ensure that no commission, house cut, entry fee linked to winnings, revenue sharing, side betting, or indirect -8- NC: 2025:KHC:50274 WP No. 31184 of 2024 HC-KAR commercial gain is permitted in any form whatsoever.
10. Digital Gaming, Online Stakes & Electronic Transaction Safeguards
10.1. The petitioner shall ensure that no digital, online, virtual, or electronic gaming involving stakes, wagering, betting, or monetary consideration is carried on within the premises through:
10.1.1. Mobile telephones;
10.1.2. Tablets;
10.1.3. Computers;
10.1.4. Gaming consoles; or 10.1.5. Any server-based or application-
based gaming platform.
10.2. The petitioner shall strictly prohibit the use of:
10.2.1. Unified Payments Interface (UPI); 10.2.2. Digital wallets;-9-
NC: 2025:KHC:50274 WP No. 31184 of 2024 HC-KAR 10.2.3. QR codes;
10.2.4. Internet banking; 10.2.5. Debit or credit cards; 10.2.6. Cryptocurrency or virtual digital assets; for the purpose of placing stakes, pooling money, distributing winnings, or settling gains arising out of any game. 10.3. The petitioner shall ensure that its internet, Wi-
Fi, LAN, or network infrastructure is not used for accessing:
10.3.1. Online rummy;
10.3.2. Poker;
10.3.3. Teen Patti;
10.3.4. Fantasy sports;
10.3.5. Casino-style real-money gaming platforms.
10.4. The petitioner shall not permit screen mirroring, live streaming, remote access, or digital
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NC: 2025:KHC:50274 WP No. 31184 of 2024 HC-KAR facilitation of any real-money gaming activity within the premises.
10.5. The petitioner shall deploy network-level access controls, including:
10.5.1. Blocking known betting and real-money gaming websites;
10.5.2. Disabling peer-to-peer financial transfer facilities on the club network; 10.5.3. Maintaining network access logs to the extent permissible in law.
10.6. The petitioner shall display prominent digital prohibition signage within the premises stating:
"Use of mobile phones or digital devices for online gaming, betting, wagering, or stake- based play is strictly prohibited within these premises."
10.7. The petitioner shall be vicariously liable for digital violations occurring within its premises if
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NC: 2025:KHC:50274 WP No. 31184 of 2024 HC-KAR due diligence, surveillance, or digital controls are found deficient.
11. Internal Regulatory, Compliance & Disciplinary Mechanism 11.1. The petitioner shall constitute an Internal Regulatory Committee comprising:
11.1.1. The President or Secretary; 11.1.2. One senior management representative;
and 11.1.3. One independent compliance officer. 11.2. The Committee shall be responsible for:
11.2.1. Continuous monitoring of gaming and recreational activities;
11.2.2. Preventing unlawful or prohibited activities;
11.2.3. Conducting periodic compliance audits; 11.2.4. Recording violations; and
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NC: 2025:KHC:50274 WP No. 31184 of 2024 HC-KAR 11.2.5. Imposing disciplinary measures including suspension or cancellation of membership.
11.3. Where any unlawful gaming or prohibited activity is detected, it shall be lawful for the jurisdictional police to initiate criminal and regulatory action against:
11.3.1. The individual offender(s); and 11.3.2. The petitioner-Association, wherever supervisory negligence or facilitation is found.
12. Fire Safety, Structural Compliance, Public Health & Well-Being Safeguards
13. Statutory Fire Safety Compliance 13.1. The petitioner shall ensure that the entire premises strictly complies with the requirements of:
13.1.1. The National Building Code of India; 13.1.2. The Karnataka Fire Force Act, 1964; and
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NC: 2025:KHC:50274 WP No. 31184 of 2024 HC-KAR 13.1.3. All fire safety regulations and circulars issued by the Fire and Emergency Services Department.
13.2. The petitioner shall obtain and maintain a valid Fire Safety Clearance / No Objection Certificate (Fire NOC) from the jurisdictional Fire Officer at all material times.
13.3. The premises shall be equipped with:
13.3.1. Adequate number of fire extinguishers of appropriate type;
13.3.2. Functional fire alarms and smoke detectors;
13.3.3. Clearly demarcated emergency exits; 13.3.4. Illuminated exit signage; and 13.3.5. Unobstructed evacuation pathways. 13.4. Periodical fire safety audits shall be conducted at intervals not exceeding six (6) months, and records thereof shall be maintained for inspection.
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NC: 2025:KHC:50274 WP No. 31184 of 2024 HC-KAR
14. Building Safety, Structural Stability & Occupancy Norms 14.1. The petitioner shall ensure that the building conforms to:
14.1.1. The sanctioned plan issued by the competent local authority;
14.1.2. Zonal regulations and land-use permissions; and 14.1.3. Structural safety standards applicable to public assembly buildings.
14.1.4. The petitioner shall not:
14.1.4.1. Make any unauthorised structural alterations;
14.1.4.2. Block evacuation routes; or 14.1.4.3. Exceed the permitted occupancy load.
14.2. A Structural Stability Certificate issued by a licensed structural engineer shall be obtained
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NC: 2025:KHC:50274 WP No. 31184 of 2024 HC-KAR and renewed periodically as required under municipal regulations.
15. Electrical Safety & Hazard Prevention:
All electrical installations shall strictly conform to applicable safety standards and wiring regulations. 15.1. The petitioner shall install:
15.1.1. Proper earthing systems; 15.1.2. Circuit breakers;
15.1.3. Surge protection devices. 15.2. Periodic electrical safety inspections shall be carried out by a licensed electrical contractor and records maintained.
16. Public Health, Sanitation & Hygiene: The petitioner shall maintain:
16.1. Adequate clean drinking water facilities; 16.2. Hygienic toilet facilities for all genders; 16.3. Proper waste segregation and disposal mechanisms.
16.4. The premises shall be kept free from:
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NC: 2025:KHC:50274 WP No. 31184 of 2024 HC-KAR 16.4.1. Overcrowding;
16.4.2. Unsanitary conditions; 16.4.3. Public health hazards. 16.5. The petitioner shall comply with all directions issued from time to time by:
16.5.1. The local municipal authority; 16.5.2. The health department; and 16.5.3. Any other statutory body concerning public health and sanitation.
17. Emergency Medical Preparedness
17.1. The petitioner shall maintain:
17.1.1. First-aid kits at accessible locations; 17.1.2. Emergency contact numbers displayed prominently.
17.2. At least two responsible staff members per shift shall be trained in:
17.2.1. Basic first aid; and 17.2.2. Emergency evacuation procedures.
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NC: 2025:KHC:50274 WP No. 31184 of 2024 HC-KAR
18. Noise Control, Environmental & Neighbourhood Safeguards:
18.1. The petitioner shall strictly adhere to the provisions of the noise pollution control rules and shall not permit:
18.1.1. Excessive noise;
18.1.2. Use of loudspeakers beyond permitted hours;
18.1.3. Any activity that disturbs public peace. 18.2. The petitioner shall ensure that activities within the premises do not cause nuisance to neighbouring residents or the general public.
19. Consequences of Safety & Health Violations
19.1. Any breach of fire safety, building safety, electrical norms, or public health requirements shall be treated as a serious regulatory violation.
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NC: 2025:KHC:50274 WP No. 31184 of 2024 HC-KAR 19.2. In the event of such violation, it shall be open to the competent authorities and the jurisdictional police to:
19.2.1. Seal the premises;
19.2.2. Suspend operations; 19.2.3. Initiate prosecution under the applicable statutes.
20. Police Inspection, Surveillance & Enforcement Powers
20.1. The jurisdictional police shall be at liberty to enter, inspect, and monitor the petitioner's premises:
20.1.1. Periodically;
20.1.2. Randomly; and/or 20.1.3. Upon receipt of credible information regarding unlawful activity. 20.2. Such inspection shall be confined to the purpose of:
20.2.1. Ensuring statutory compliance;
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NC: 2025:KHC:50274 WP No. 31184 of 2024 HC-KAR 20.2.2. Preventing unlawful gaming; and 20.2.3. Maintaining public order and morality.
21. Protection of Lawful Recreational Activities:
Subject to strict adherence to these conditions, the respondents and the police authorities are directed not to interfere with lawful recreational activities carried on by the bona fide members of the petitioner-Club/Association.
22. Saving of Statutory Powers & Consequences of Violation: This order shall not operate as a shield against the invocation of the provisions of the Karnataka Police Act, 1963, or any other applicable penal law. In the event that:
22.1. Any member; or 22.2. The petitioner-Association, is found to have indulged in any unlawful, immoral, prohibited, or stake-based gaming activity, it shall be
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NC: 2025:KHC:50274 WP No. 31184 of 2024 HC-KAR open to the jurisdictional police to take action strictly in accordance with law, including prosecution.
23. Subject to the aforesaid stringent conditions and safeguards, the writ petition stands disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.
SD/-
(SURAJ GOVINDARAJ) JUDGE PRS List No.: 2 Sl No.: 9