Members' club not a public amusement place where access is limited to members and no public admission exists.

A members' recreational club restricted by its bye-laws to members only is not a place of public amusement or public entertainment under the Karnataka Police Act merely because games or recreation are conducted there. A place becomes public amusement only where music, singing, dancing, diversion, or games are provided to which the public are admitted, and public entertainment requires admission of the public with food or drink supplied for consumption. The absence of public admission is decisive, so the club did not require a licence under the Licensing Order and interference with its lawful activities was unwarranted.

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Issues: Whether a members' recreational club is a place of public amusement or public entertainment requiring a licence under the Karnataka Police Act.

Analysis: A place falls within the expression place of public amusement only when music, singing, dancing, diversion, or game is provided to which the public are admitted. A place falls within the expression place of public entertainment only when the public are admitted and food or drink is supplied for consumption. A members' club restricted by its bye-laws to its own members does not satisfy either requirement merely because games or recreation are conducted there. The absence of public admission is decisive, and the mere presence of recreational activity does not convert the club into a licensable public place.

Conclusion: The club was not liable to obtain a licence under the Licensing Order, and interference with its lawful activities was unwarranted.

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