Supreme Court Hears Mahalakshmi Rummy For Stakes Case for Four Hours, Judgment Expected Soon

After years of slow progress, there is now a new development in the Mahalakshmi Cultural Association “Rummy for Stakes” case.Jay Sayta of Glaws.in reports that a new Supreme Court bench of Justices Madan Lokur and SA Bobde heard the matter on Aug 12 for four hours and a judgement is expected within a few days.

The case involves several parties, including online operators like Head Infotech, Playgames 24×7 and Junglee Rummy, as well as local Chennai clubs. Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Senior Advocate and Member of Parliament, Counsel for the Online Parties defense argued in Court, putting forth reasons in favor of unrestricted operations. Dr. Singhvi pointed out that the game was of intense skill, thus, was excluded from the purview of gambling and did not fall under any of the gambling statutes.

Dr. Singhvi also reminded the Court that as per the 1967 decision of the Supreme Court in State of Andhra Pradesh v. K. Satyanarayana, the format, venue and stakes involved were irrelevant.

The two-judge bench heard the matter patiently, with several questions interspersed during the hearing. The Court refused to give the petitioners additional time to counter these arguments, when their counsel asked for more time.

The Court has directed the matter to be heard today, Aug 13, which is when both parties will make their final submissions. The Court may either give its decision on hearing the final arguments or provide a date for the same.

The Court’s decision will be important for India`s gambling industry and the nascent industry will reply heavily on a favorable outcome of this case.