Club recreational activities regulated with CCTV, member controls, and police intervention limited to unlawful conduct

Directions were framed to regulate a club's recreational activities and to limit police interference to action taken in accordance with law. The club was required to install CCTV cameras, issue identity cards to members, prevent non-members from using the premises, and maintain a lawful mechanism for conducting games. Games of chance and activities falling within the relevant statutory definitions were prohibited. The police were allowed to inspect the premises and proceed where unlawful activity was found, but were restrained from interfering with lawful recreational activities.

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Issues: Whether directions were required to regulate the petitioner-club's recreational activities and to restrain police interference except in accordance with law.

Analysis: The petition was disposed of by adopting earlier directions issued in a similar matter concerning club premises and police action. The directions required installation of CCTV cameras, issue of identity cards to members, prohibition on non-members using the premises, restraint against games of chance and activities falling within the relevant statutory definitions, maintenance of a lawful mechanism for conduct of games, and liberty to the police to inspect the premises or take action where unlawful activity was found. At the same time, the police were restrained from interfering with lawful recreational activities.

Conclusion: The petitioner was granted protection for lawful recreational activities, while the police were permitted to act only against unlawful or immoral conduct in accordance with law.

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