Gujarat HC dismisses club’s criminal application to allow poker and rummy

A single judge bench of the Gujarat High Court headed by Justice JB Pardiwala summarily dismissed a special criminal application filed by petitioner Samir Bharatbhai Patel, that sought non-interference from the police in conduct of skill card games like poker and rummy in his club.

The petitioner had urged the court to issue a writ of mandamus to restrain the police and other government authorities from interfering in games like rummy and poker. The petitioner on behalf of his club also requested the court to direct the police and department of sports and culture to issue appropriate NOC and license to conduct the games of poker and rummy games and further asked for interim relief pending final disposal of the petition.

Justice Pardiwala noted the prayers urged by Patel but observed that ‘no case worth the name is made out’ and perfunctorily disposed off the matter at the admission stage without affording any further reasons or explanation.

A separate bench of the Gujarat High Court headed by Justice Rajesh Shukla is however expected to deliver its verdict on the legality of poker and degree of skill involved in the game after hearing the merits of the matter for several months.

Justice Shukla is expected to deliver a conclusive and detailed judgment on the legality of poker on 23rd November in response to special civil applications filed by KN Suresh (on behalf of the Indian Poker Association), AAA Gaming, Hotel Ramada, Dominance Games Pvt. Ltd. and other poker clubs.