Madras High Court
Happy People Recreation Club vs The Superintendent Of Police on 7 April, 2026
Author: M.Nirmal Kumar
Bench: M. Nirmal Kumar
WP Crl. No. 564 of 2026
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 07-04-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M. NIRMAL KUMAR
WP Crl. No. 564 of 2026
Happy People Recreation Club
Represented by its President,
A.Ravindranath Tagore,
No., 251/A7. 251/a7/1,
Sadhik Nagar,
Udumalaipettai Taluk,
Tiruppur District 642 126.
..Petitioner(s)
Vs
1. The Superintendent of Police
Tiruppur District.
2. The Deputy Superintendent of Police
Udumalpet,
Tiruppur District.
3. The Inspector of Police
Udumalpet Police Station,
Tiruppur District.
..Respondent(s)
Writ Petition(Criminal) is filed under Article 227 of the Constitution of
India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, forbearing the respondents and their
subordinates or any other official from any manner interfering or disturbing
with the day to day affairs of the petitioner’s society in playing various indoor
games including the game of playing Rummy and Carom Board not involving
any element of gambling at the premises bearing No. 251/A7, 251/A7/1 ,
Sadhik Nagar, Udumalaipettai Taluk, Tiruppur District- 642 126.
__________
Page1 of 7
https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis
WP Crl. No. 564 of 2026
For Petitioner(s): Mr.V.Anandhamoorthy
For Respondent(s): Mr.Leonard Arul Joseph Selvam,
Addl. Public Prosecutor, Assisted by
Ms.T.Harshana for R1
ORDER
This Writ Petition (Criminal) has been filed seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus forbearing the respondents, their subordinates or any other officials, from in any manner interfering with the day to day affairs of the petitioner’s society in conducting indoor games such as Rummy and Carom Board, without involving any element of gambling, at the premises bearing Door No. 251/A7, 251/A7/1 , Sadhik Nagar, Udumalaipettai Taluk, Tiruppur District- 642 126.
2. The case of the petitioner is that he is the President of Happy People Recreation Club which was formed on 11.09.2024 and duly registered under the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act. As per the bye-laws of the club, its activities are purely recreational in nature and do not involve any form of gambling. It is the further case of the petitioner that the respondent police are unnecessarily interfering with the peaceful functioning of the club, thereby affecting its administration and infringing the fundamental rights guaranteed under Article 14 and 19(1)(c) of the Constitution of India.
__________ Page2 of 7 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP Crl. No. 564 of 2026
3. The learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondents filed a counter affidavit and submitted that this writ petition is devoid of merits and liable to be dismissed. It is further submitted that upon verification, it was found that the petitioner had been previously implicated in Crime No.198 of 2015 on the file of the B2, Race Course Police Station, Coimbatore, for the offences under Sections 51(a)(i) and 65 of the Copyright Act and had also been convicted by the Judicial Magistrate No.II, Tiruppur. He further contended that the petitioner has not furnished any specific instances or materials to show illegal interference by the police and is seeking a blanket order, which is not maintainable. It is also submitted that though the game of Rummy is considered a game of skill, playing the same for stakes, would amount to gambling and attract the provisions of the Tamilnadu Gaming Act, 1930. The police are empowered under the said Act to inspect premises upon reasonable suspicion of illegal activities. Further, reliance was placed on the decisions of this Court in Director General of Police Vs. Mahalakshmi Cultural Associate [2012 (2) CTC 484], Anandham Manamagil Mandram Vs. the Superintendent of Police, [2009 (4) CTC 264] and M.M.Nagar Sports and Recreation Centre Vs. the Superintendent of Police [(2022) 3 MLJ 205], wherein guidelines have been issued regarding the functioning of recreation clubs and the powers of the police.
__________ Page3 of 7 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP Crl. No. 564 of 2026
4. This Court has considered the submissions made on either side and perused the materials available on record.
5. It is well settled that while recreational clubs are entitled to carry on lawful activities, the same must not involved any element of gambling or wagering. The police authorities are vested with the power to enter and inspect such premises if there is reasonable suspicion of unlawful activities. In the above cited decisions, this Court has clearly laid down guidelines governing the functioning of recreation club and the extent of police interference. The police cannot interfere with the lawful activities of the club, however, they are entitled to take action in accordance with law if there is credible information regarding illegal activities.
6. In view of the above, this Writ Petition (Criminal) is disposed of with the following directions:
(I) the respondents are restrained from interfering with the lawful day-to-
day functioning of the petitioner’s club.
(ii) the petitioner shall ensure that no gambling or wagering is conducted in the premises under the guise of recreational activities.
(iii) It is open to the respondent police to enter the premises and take appropriate action, in accordance with law, if there is any reasonable suspicion or information regarding illegal activities.
__________ Page4 of 7 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP Crl. No. 564 of 2026 No costs.
07-04-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No VKR To
1.The Superintendent of Police Tiruppur District.
2.The Deputy Superintendent of Police Udumalpet, Tiruppur District.
3.The Inspector of Police Udumalpet Police Station, Tiruppur District.
4.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.
__________ Page5 of 7 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP Crl. No. 564 of 2026 M.NIRMAL KUMAR, J.
VKR WP Crl. No. 564 of 2026 07-04-2026 __________ Page6 of 7 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP Crl. No. 564 of 2026 __________ Page7 of 7 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis