Ramesh v. The State Rep by the Inspector of Police

ORDER This Criminal Original Petition has been filed seeking to quash the FIR in Crime No.468 of 2025.

¶2Upon hearing the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondent. The materials available on record were also perused. Page4 of 7

¶3It is seen that the case has been registered for the offence under Section 8 and 9 Tamil Nadu Gaming and Police Laws Act, 1930. The gravamen of the allegations contained in the First Information Report is that, upon inspection of a place known as "Village Sports Club", the police found the accused persons playing a card game known as "Vettatam", which is alleged to be a game of gambling. A sum of Rs.21,500 and several packs of playing cards were also seized from the premises.

¶4The learned counsel for the petitioner seeks quashing of the FIR on the following grounds:-

Firstly, it is contended that the place in question is not a private place but an officially licensed club and therefore, the provisions of Sections 8 and 9 of the Tamil Nadu Gaming and Police Laws Act, 1930, would not be attracted. Secondly, reliance is placed on certain earlier decisions wherein it has been held that card games are games of skill and do not amount to gambling.

¶5The learned counsel further submitted that the investigation is being conducted by the first informant himself.

Page5 of 7

¶6I have considered the submissions made on behalf of the learned counsel for the petitioner.

¶7Insofar as the contention that the place is a licensed club and not a private place is concerned, the same cannot, by itself, be a ground to quash the FIR. The matter requires investigation, and the existence verified during the course of investigation.

¶8With regard to the contention that the game involved is a game of skill, it is to be noted that judicial precedents have held that the game of Rummy is a game of skill. However, the said principle cannot automatically be extended to every card game. Whether the game in question is predominantly a game of skill or one of chance is also a matter that requires investigation.

¶9As regards the contention that the investigation is being conducted by the first informant himself, the charge sheet has not yet been filed. Therefore, the FIR cannot be quashed on that ground alone. However, the respondent would do well to transfer the investigation to another officer and have the investigation carried out by a person other than the first informant. Page6 of 7

¶10With the above observations and directions, the Criminal Original Petition stands disposed of. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. 01-07-2026 av To

¶1The Inspector of Police Komarapalayam Police Station, Namakkal District.

¶2The Public Prosecutor, Madras High Court. CRLoOPoNo.o16441oofo2026 D.BHARATHAoCHAKRAVARTHY,oJ. av CRLoOPoNo.o16441oofo2026o ando Crl.M.P.No.10866oofo2026 01-07-2026 Page7oofo7

Page1 of 7 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 01-07-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY and Crl.M.P.No.10866 of 2026 1. Ramesh (A1) S/o.Raja, 24, Bajanai Kovil Street, Bhavani, Bhavani Taluk, Erode District. Tamilnadu 638 301. 2. Arunkumar (A2) S/o. Radhakrishnan, 71, Varnapuram, Bhavani Taluk, Erode District, Tamilnadu 638 301. 3. Devaraj (A3) 3/598, Malaikadu, Ottamethai, Pallipalayam Agraharam, Kumarapalayam Taluk, Namakkal District. TamilNadu 638008. 4. Salim (A4) S/o. Ibrahim, 141, Odaippallam, Old Poondurai Road, Erode Taluk, Erode District, Tamil Nadu 638 001. 5. Ravichandran (A5) S/o. Karupaiah, 1/48, 2nd Cross Street, Nesavalar Colony, 14 Thottipalayam, Tiruppur North Taluk, Tiruppur District, Tamil Nadu 641 602. 6. Rajeshkumar (A6) S/o. Palanisamy, 1/350-10, Page2 of 7 Near Kongu Mahal, Muthaiyan Kovil, Chennimalai, Perundurai Taluk, Erode District, Tamilnadu-638051. 7. Senthilkumar (A7) S/o. Arumugam, 191, Kaliyamman Kovil Street, Azhagapuri, A Kalayamuthur, Palani Taluk, Dindigul District, Tamil Nadu 624 615. 8. Venugopal (A8) S/o. Tiruvenkatachettiyar, 13/14 A6-Udaiyar Lane, Thammanchetti Veedhi, Komarapalayam Agraharam, Kumarapalayam Taluk, Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu 638 183. 9. Ravishankar (A9) S/o. Sengottaiyan, 2/4, Angamuthu Street, Bharathi Nagar, P.N. Patty, Karumalaikoodal, Mettur Taluk, Salem District, Tamil Nadu 636 402. 10.Elangovan (A10) S/o. Seerangan, 183/42, Chinnappa Gounder Street, Karumalaikoodal, Mettur Taluk, Salem District, Tamil Nadu 636 402. 11.Soorya (A11) S/o. Eswaran, 2/41, Middle Street, Thadur, Tiruttani Taluk, Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu 631 205. 12.Muhamathu Ishaq (A12) S/o. Muhamathu Anifa, 34, Muthusha Street, Gobipalayam, Gobichettipalayam Taluk, Erode District, Tamil Nadu 638 476. Page3 of 7 13.E.K. Jeevanantham Secretary, Royal Village Spots Club, S/o. Kuppusamy, Aruvankadu, Kumarapalayam Taluk, Namakkal District. Tamil Nadu 638 183. ..Petitioners / Accused Vs The State Rep by The Inspector of Police Komarapalayam Police Station, Namakkal District. ..Respondent / De facto Complainant Prayer: This Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 528 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, praying to call for Records and to quash FIR in Crime No.468 of 2025, on the file of respondent police, and pass such other suitable orders as this Hon'ble Court. For Petitioner(s): Ms.R.Vaishnavi for Ms.R.Sripriya For Respondent(s): Mr.R.Rajasekaran Government Advocate (Criminal Side)