Karnataka HC Directs Authorities Not To Interfere With Club’s Lawful Recreation, Subject To CCTV, Member-Only Access And No Games Of Chance

In brief

The question

Whether the petitioner could conduct lawful recreational activities without police interference or a requirement to obtain police permission.

The court held

The petition was disposed of subject to the stated conditions.

It also directed

The police were directed not to interfere with the club’s lawful recreational activities, but may periodically visit the premises and take action in accordance with law if unlawful or immoral activities are found.

The Court did not issue a separate direction requiring consideration of the representation.

01Facts

The petitioner, a recreation club operating in Sindhanur, Raichur District, sought a mandamus restraining the police from interfering with its lawful recreational activities and from insisting on police permission to conduct them.

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It also sought consideration of its representation dated 1 October 2026.

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The Court recorded that the matter was covered by its earlier decision in Shri Sharan Recreation Club v. State of Karnataka and Others, W.P. No. 202195/2026, dated 11 June 2026, and disposed of the petition subject to conditions.

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02Issues

i.Whether the petitioner could conduct lawful recreational activities without police interference or a requirement to obtain police permission.

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ii.Whether the petitioner’s request for consideration of its representation warranted relief, subject to conditions governing the club’s activities.

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03Law Applied

The Court relied on its decision in Shri Sharan Recreation Club v. State of Karnataka and Others, W.P. No. 202195/2026, dated 11 June 2026, as covering the issues in the petition.

p. 4

The conditions imposed refer to Sections 2(14) and 2(15) of the Karnataka Police Act, 1863, concerning acts of amusement, and Explanation II to Section 2(7), concerning games of chance; they prohibit such activities and games played for stakes or profit, except games of skill.

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The order also preserves the police’s authority to act in accordance with law where unlawful activity is found.

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Provisions in the judgment · 1

Karnataka Police Act, 1863 Section 2

04Reasoning

Because the Court considered the dispute squarely covered by the earlier Shri Sharan Recreation Club decision, it applied the conditions imposed there rather than separately examining the petitioner’s activities or deciding whether a particular form of police permission was required.

p. 4

The resulting directions permit lawful recreational activities by members while requiring safeguards—including CCTV coverage, member identity cards, exclusion of non-members and guests, and prevention of unlawful games—and preserve police powers of inspection and enforcement.

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