Karnataka High Court
M/S Annamma Sports And Cultural Members ... vs The State Of Karnataka on 2 December, 2025
Author: Suraj Govindaraj
Bench: Suraj Govindaraj
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NC: 2025:KHC:50275
WP No. 22962 of 2025
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. 22962 OF 2025 (GM-POLICE)
BETWEEN:
1. M/S ANNAMMA SPORTS AND CULTURAL
MEMBERS ASSOCIATION
NO. 186/6 (16), SIRUR PARK ROAD
SHESHADRIPURAM, NEXT TO NATARAJA THEATER
BANGALORE-560 020.
REP. BY ITS PRESIDENT
SRI. H.N.SHIVANNA
...PETITIONER
(BY SRI. RAJU S., ADVOCATE)
AND:
1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA
REP. BY ITS SECRETARY
HOME DEPARTMENT
VIDHANA SOUDHA
BANGALORE-560 001.
2. THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE
INFANTRY ROAD, BANGALORE-560 001.
Digitally signed
by SHWETHA
RAGHAVENDRA 3. THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF POLICE
Location: HIGH CENTRAL DIVISION, BANGALORE.
COURT OF
KARNATAKA
4. THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF POLICE
CITY CRIME BRANCH, ROYAN CIRCLE
N.T.PET OR SHANTHINAGAR
BANGALORE-01.
5. THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF POLICE
SHESHADRIPURAM SUB DIVISION
BANGALORE-560020.
6. THE INSPECTOR OF POLICE
SHESHADRIPURAM POLICE STATION
SHESHADRIPURAM
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NC: 2025:KHC:50275
WP No. 22962 of 2025
HC-KAR
BANGALORE-560020.
...RESPONDENTS
(BY SMT K P YASHODHA, AGA. FOR RESPONDENTS)
THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227
OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO DIRECTING THE
RESPONDENTS NOT TO INSIST UPON THE PETITIONER TO OBTAIN
LICENCE FOR THE PLAY OF GAMES SUCH AS (SKILL) CHESS,
CAROM. SNOOKER, GYM, READING ROOM (LIBRARY), FANTASTIC-3,
(PLAYED WITH 3 DICE), DICE BALL, DART GAMES, ELECTRONICS
GAMES, TABLE TENNIS, CARDS (RUMMY) VIDEO GAME, POKER AND
OTHER INDOOR AND OUTDOOR GAMES FOR THE BENEFIT OF ITS
MEMBERS AND ALSO SOCIAL SERVICE AND ETC., BEING RUN UNDER
THE NAME AND STYLE OF M/S. ANNAMMA SPORTS AND CULTURAL
MEMBERS ASSOCIATION, NO. 186/6 (16), SIRUR PARK ROAD,
SHESHADRIPURAM, NEXT TO NATARAJA THEATER, BANGALORE -
560020, EITHER UNDER THE KARNATAKA POLICE ACT UNDER THE
LICENCING AND CONTROLLING OF THE PLACE OF PUBLIC
AMUSEMENT ORDER, BANGALORE CITY 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 petitioner is before this Court seeking for the following reliefs:
(a) Issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order or direction, directing the respondents not to insist upon the petitioner to obtain licence for the play of games such as (Skill) Chess, Carom, Snooker, Gym, Reading Room (Library), Fantastic-3, (PLAYED WITH 3 DICE), Dice Ball, Dart games, Electronics games, Table Tennis, Cards (Rummy) Video Game, Poker and other indoor and outdoor games for the benefit of its members and also social service and etc., being run under the name and style of M/s. ANNAMMA SPORTS AND CULTURAL MEMBERS ASSOCIATION, -3- NC: 2025:KHC:50275 WP No. 22962 of 2025 HC-KAR No.186/6 (16), Sirur Park Road, Sheshadripuram, Next to Nataraja Theater, Bangalore 560020, either under the Karnataka Police Act under the Licencing and Controlling of the place of Public Amusement Order, Bangalore City;
(b) Issue such other and further reliefs that this Hon'ble Court deem fit to grant under the facts and circumstances of the case, in the interest of justice.`
2. Learned AGA on instructions submits that the preparatory steps have been taken by the petitioner for operationalising the cultural association but the same is yet to commence.
3. Submission of learned counsel for the petitioner is that everything is ready for the cultural association to function and that the petitioner will comply with any direction that may be issued by this Court.
4. In further, 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-
NC: 2025:KHC:50275 WP No. 22962 of 2025 HC-KAR
5. 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:
6. Surveillance, CCTV Installation & Data Preservation 6.1. 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:
6.1.1. All points of ingress and egress; 6.1.2. All common areas; and 6.1.3. All locations where any game or recreational activity is carried on by the members.-5-
NC: 2025:KHC:50275 WP No. 22962 of 2025 HC-KAR 6.2. The CCTV system shall be equipped with date-
and-time stamping and shall remain in continuous working condition at all material times.
6.3. The CCTV footage shall be securely preserved for a minimum continuous period of fifteen (15) days.
6.4. The petitioner shall produce such CCTV footage forthwith before the jurisdictional police or any authorised officer whenever lawfully called upon to do so.
6.5. Any tampering, disabling, destruction, alteration, or failure to preserve CCTV footage shall constitute a grave violation and shall invite action in accordance with law.
7. Membership Identity, Verification & Access Control 7.1. Issuance of Identity Cards: The petitioner shall issue tamper-proof identity cards to every member, containing:
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NC: 2025:KHC:50275 WP No. 22962 of 2025 HC-KAR 7.1.1. Photograph;
7.1.2. Unique membership number; 7.1.3. Validity period; and 7.1.4. Club seal and security authentication. 7.2. Every member shall carry the identity card at all times while present in the premises and shall produce the same upon demand before the jurisdictional police during any raid, inspection, surveillance, or verification. 7.3. The petitioner shall maintain a digitally updated membership register, which shall be produced for police verification whenever required.
8. 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: 8.1. Guests;
8.2. Temporary visitors;
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NC: 2025:KHC:50275 WP No. 22962 of 2025 HC-KAR 8.3. Invitees; or 8.4. Proxy players,
9. 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."
10. Prohibition on Games of Chance, Stakes, Wagering & Amusement Activities:
10.1. 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. 10.2. The petitioner shall not permit any game of chance as defined under Explanation (II) to Section 2(7) of the Karnataka Police Act, 1963. 10.3. Members shall not be permitted to play any game:
10.3.1. With stakes;-8-
NC: 2025:KHC:50275 WP No. 22962 of 2025 HC-KAR 10.3.2. With betting or wagering; 10.3.3. For prize money;
10.3.4. For any monetary or property-based gain, whether in cash or in kind. 10.4. The petitioner shall ensure that no commission, house cut, entry fee linked to winnings, revenue sharing, side betting, or indirect commercial gain is permitted in any form whatsoever.
11. Digital Gaming, Online Stakes & Electronic Transaction Safeguards 11.1. 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:
11.1.1. Mobile telephones;
11.1.2. Tablets;
11.1.3. Computers;-9-
NC: 2025:KHC:50275 WP No. 22962 of 2025 HC-KAR 11.1.4. Gaming consoles; or 11.1.5. Any server-based or application-based gaming platform.
11.2. The petitioner shall strictly prohibit the use of:
11.2.1. Unified Payments Interface (UPI); 11.2.2. Digital wallets;
11.2.3. QR codes;
11.2.4. Internet banking;
11.2.5. Debit or credit cards; 11.2.6. Cryptocurrency or virtual digital assets;
for the purpose of placing stakes, pooling money, distributing winnings, or settling gains arising out of any game. 11.3. The petitioner shall ensure that its internet, Wi-
Fi, LAN, or network infrastructure is not used for accessing:
11.3.1. Online rummy;
11.3.2. Poker;
11.3.3. Teen Patti;
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NC: 2025:KHC:50275 WP No. 22962 of 2025 HC-KAR 11.3.4. Fantasy sports;
11.3.5. Casino-style real-money gaming platforms.
11.4. The petitioner shall not permit screen mirroring, live streaming, remote access, or digital facilitation of any real-money gaming activity within the premises.
11.5. The petitioner shall deploy network-level access controls, including:
11.5.1. Blocking known betting and real-money gaming websites;
11.5.2. Disabling peer-to-peer financial transfer facilities on the club network; 11.5.3. Maintaining network access logs to the extent permissible in law.
11.6. 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-
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NC: 2025:KHC:50275 WP No. 22962 of 2025 HC-KAR based play is strictly prohibited within these premises."
11.7. The petitioner shall be vicariously liable for digital violations occurring within its premises if due diligence, surveillance, or digital controls are found deficient.
12. Internal Regulatory, Compliance & Disciplinary Mechanism 12.1. The petitioner shall constitute an Internal Regulatory Committee comprising:
12.1.1. The President or Secretary; 12.1.2. One senior management representative;
and 12.1.3. One independent compliance officer. 12.2. The Committee shall be responsible for:
12.2.1. Continuous monitoring of gaming and recreational activities;
12.2.2. Preventing unlawful or prohibited activities;
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NC: 2025:KHC:50275 WP No. 22962 of 2025 HC-KAR 12.2.3. Conducting periodic compliance audits; 12.2.4. Recording violations; and 12.2.5. Imposing disciplinary measures including suspension or cancellation of membership.
12.3. Where any unlawful gaming or prohibited activity is detected, it shall be lawful for the jurisdictional police to initiate criminal and regulatory action against:
12.3.1. The individual offender(s); and 12.3.2. The petitioner-Association, wherever supervisory negligence or facilitation is found.
13. Fire Safety, Structural Compliance, Public Health & Well-Being Safeguards
14. Statutory Fire Safety Compliance 14.1. The petitioner shall ensure that the entire premises strictly complies with the requirements of:
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NC: 2025:KHC:50275 WP No. 22962 of 2025 HC-KAR 14.1.1. The National Building Code of India; 14.1.2. The Karnataka Fire Force Act, 1964; and 14.1.3. All fire safety regulations and circulars issued by the Fire and Emergency Services Department.
14.2. 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.
14.3. The premises shall be equipped with: 14.3.1. Adequate number of fire extinguishers of appropriate type;
14.3.2. Functional fire alarms and smoke detectors;
14.3.3. Clearly demarcated emergency exits; 14.3.4. Illuminated exit signage; and 14.3.5. Unobstructed evacuation pathways. 14.4. Periodical fire safety audits shall be conducted at intervals not exceeding six (6) months, and
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NC: 2025:KHC:50275 WP No. 22962 of 2025 HC-KAR records thereof shall be maintained for inspection.
15. Building Safety, Structural Stability & Occupancy Norms 15.1. The petitioner shall ensure that the building conforms to:
15.1.1. The sanctioned plan issued by the competent local authority;
15.1.2. Zonal regulations and land-use permissions; and 15.1.3. Structural safety standards applicable to public assembly buildings.
15.1.4. The petitioner shall not:
15.1.4.1. Make any unauthorised structural alterations;
15.1.4.2. Block evacuation routes; or 15.1.4.3. Exceed the permitted occupancy load.
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NC: 2025:KHC:50275 WP No. 22962 of 2025 HC-KAR 15.2. A Structural Stability Certificate issued by a licensed structural engineer shall be obtained and renewed periodically as required under municipal regulations.
16. Electrical Safety & Hazard Prevention:
All electrical installations shall strictly conform to applicable safety standards and wiring regulations. 16.1. The petitioner shall install:
16.1.1. Proper earthing systems; 16.1.2. Circuit breakers; 16.1.3. Surge protection devices. 16.2. Periodic electrical safety inspections shall be carried out by a licensed electrical contractor and records maintained.
17. Public Health, Sanitation & Hygiene: The petitioner shall maintain:
17.1. Adequate clean drinking water facilities; 17.2. Hygienic toilet facilities for all genders;
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NC: 2025:KHC:50275 WP No. 22962 of 2025 HC-KAR 17.3. Proper waste segregation and disposal mechanisms.
17.4. The premises shall be kept free from:
17.4.1. Overcrowding;
17.4.2. Unsanitary conditions; 17.4.3. Public health hazards. 17.5. The petitioner shall comply with all directions issued from time to time by:
17.5.1. The local municipal authority; 17.5.2. The health department; and 17.5.3. Any other statutory body concerning public health and sanitation.
18. Emergency Medical Preparedness
18.1. The petitioner shall maintain:
18.1.1. First-aid kits at accessible locations; 18.1.2. Emergency contact numbers displayed prominently.
18.2. At least two responsible staff members per shift shall be trained in:
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NC: 2025:KHC:50275 WP No. 22962 of 2025 HC-KAR 18.2.1. Basic first aid; and 18.2.2. Emergency evacuation procedures.
19. Noise Control, Environmental & Neighbourhood Safeguards:
19.1. The petitioner shall strictly adhere to the provisions of the noise pollution control rules and shall not permit:
19.1.1. Excessive noise;
19.1.2. Use of loudspeakers beyond permitted hours;
19.1.3. Any activity that disturbs public peace. 19.2. The petitioner shall ensure that activities within the premises do not cause nuisance to neighbouring residents or the general public.
20. Consequences of Safety & Health Violations
20.1. Any breach of fire safety, building safety, electrical norms, or public health requirements
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NC: 2025:KHC:50275 WP No. 22962 of 2025 HC-KAR shall be treated as a serious regulatory violation.
20.2. In the event of such violation, it shall be open to the competent authorities and the jurisdictional police to:
20.2.1. Seal the premises;
20.2.2. Suspend operations;
20.2.3. Initiate prosecution under the applicable statutes.
21. Police Inspection, Surveillance & Enforcement Powers
21.1. The jurisdictional police shall be at liberty to enter, inspect, and monitor the petitioner's premises:
21.1.1. Periodically;
21.1.2. Randomly; and/or 21.1.3. Upon receipt of credible information regarding unlawful activity.
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NC: 2025:KHC:50275 WP No. 22962 of 2025 HC-KAR 21.2. Such inspection shall be confined to the purpose of:
21.2.1. Ensuring statutory compliance; 21.2.2. Preventing unlawful gaming; and 21.2.3. Maintaining public order and morality.
22. 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.
23. 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: 23.1. Any member; or 23.2. The petitioner-Association,
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NC: 2025:KHC:50275 WP No. 22962 of 2025 HC-KAR is found to have indulged in any unlawful, immoral, prohibited, or stake-based gaming activity, it shall be open to the jurisdictional police to take action strictly in accordance with law, including prosecution. 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.: 14