The Hindu : `Playwin cannot be considered as lottery'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jan 29, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

`Playwin cannot be considered as lottery'

By Our Staff Reporter

KOCHI, JAN. 28. The lotteries marketed under the name `Playwin', on behalf of Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Karnataka States are "well within the realm of gambling and to that extent they cannot be considered as lotteries conducted, organised or promoted by the State Governments," according to an additional affidavit filed by the Government before the Kerala High Court.

In its additional affidavit filed in response to writ appeals against the single judge's verdict upholding the imposition of Government restrictions on the sale of lotteries of other States, the Government highlighted the violations of various provisions of the Lotteries Regulation Act by these State Governments, including printing of lottery tickets and distribution of prizes. The prizes of these lotteries were disbursed instantly across the counter as soon as the result was announced and the retailer did not know the identity of the prize-winner, resulting in distribution of prizes to fictitious winners through fictitious terminals.

Panchayat files petition

The Perumatty gram panchayat president, A. Krishnan, today filed an application before a Division Bench seeking its permission to install seals on water meters set up by the Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverage Private Limited over its wells at Palachimada to ensure that the company did not replace its existing meters. When the writ appeal filed by the company against the single judge's order directing the company to stop extraction of water from its wells and find an alternative source of water came up last time, the Bench comprising Justice Cyriac Joseph and Justice K. Padmanabhan Nair had ordered that status quo be maintained with regard to drawing of water and directed the company to install meters, if they had not been erected.

Order on appointment

A Bench comprising the Acting Chief Justice, N.K. Sodhi, and Justice K.K. Dinesan, has restrained Fr. Joseph Kuzhichalil, Drawing and Disbursing Officer, K.E. College, Mannanam, from functioning as Principal of the college till his appointment was considered by the Mahatma Gandhi University Syndicate and a decision taken.

The Bench also ordered that in the absence of the Principal, Statute 21 of Chapter 23 of the University Statute 1997(the most senior-most teacher holding the post) be followed.

Confirms life term

A Bench comprising Justice K.A. Abdul Gafoor and Justice J. M. James has upheld the Kottayam Sessions Court's order sentencing two CPI(ML) activists to life imprisonment on charges of murdering a Communist League State secretary, C.I. Paul.According to the prosecution, C.I. Paul was attacked and murdered when he was speaking at the party meeting on November 6, 1997. The prosecution had attributed the motive for the murder to previous political enmity that existed between the two parties. The Bench, however, acquitted other four persons convicted in the case.

Directive to PWD Secretary

Justice C.N. Ramachandran Nair directed the Public Works Department Secretary to file a statement as to when the new High Court Building Complex would be ready for occupation and also regarding the Government decision on air-conditioning of court halls and other matters.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Kerala