A Division Bench of Karnataka High Court on Thursday dismissed the lottery operators’ plea against single judge order upholding the State Government’s action in ridding the state from all kinds of lotteries. The Court upheld the Government action as a policy decision in the interest of common man, which the Government was legally empowered to do.

The Bench comprising Justice K Shreedhar Rao and Justice L Narayana Swamy rejected the appeals filed by Arunachal Pradesh Government, All India Federation of Gaming and Allied Industries, and some other lottery operators and agents. The appeals were against Justice V Jagannathan’s order, which had upheld the Government notification dated March 27, 2007, declaring Karnataka as a “lottery free zone.”

Appeal to SC

Meanwhile, Shashikiran Shetty, advocate for appellant lottery operators, told Deccan Herald that they would go on appeal in the Supreme Court. Special leave petitions will be filed shortly, he said.

Appears in court

S R Ramesh, a member of Hunasamaranahalli GP, Bangalore North taluk, who was allegedly abducted by a GP presidential candidate and his men, appeared before the High Court on Thursday. His wife Uma had petitioned the court seeking direction to Chikkajala police to trace him.

Ramesh told the Court that he had been kidnapped at gunpoint by GP members A K Gilani and Bachhappa, and three others. He was released in the early hours on Thursday. He had refused to accompany police and decided to come voluntarily before the Court, he said. He also sought protection to his family.

State Public Prosecutor S Dore Raju said that Ramesh was not co-operating with police and was abusing the officers in filthy language. The five persons accused of kidnapping were absconding and efforts were on to trace them. The Bench ordered the police to give protection to him and his family.