(1.) The first petitioner won the prize of Rs. 1 lakh for the ticket SH 406687 of Soubhagya lottery, in Draw No.446, held on 14.2.2004. He sent the ticket, claiming the prize amount, to the 1st respondent Director of Kerala State Lotteries, on 9.3.2004, which was received by the said Officer, on 15.3.2004. The second petitioner won the prize of Rs.50,000/- of the Soubhagya lottery, in Draw No.451 held on 20.3.2004. The said ticket was sent to the 1st respondent, on 27.4.2004, which was received by the said Officer, on 29.4.2004. In both the cases, the prize amounts were not disbursed in time. Hence this Writ Petition.
(2.) Pursuant to the interim order issued by this Court, to consider the claim of the petitioners, the 1st respondent has passed Ext. P20 and P21 orders dated 13.9.2004, rejecting their claim. The petitioners amended the Writ Petition, challenging the validity of Exts.P20 and P21. They submit that the impugned orders have been issued, in violation of R.22(13) of the Kerala Lotteries and Online Lotteries (Regulation) Rules, 2003. It is submitted that the first petitioner's claim for prize amount has been rejected on irrational grounds. The second petitioner's application to condone the delay in presenting the ticket was also rejected without any valid grounds and also under the dictation of the State Government. The claim of the petitioners has been rejected on the ground that they were not residents of the State of Kerala. The same is highly arbitrary and discriminatory, it is contended.
(3.) The respondents have chosen, not to file any counter affidavit in this Writ Petition. I heard the learned counsel on both sides. R.22(1) of the above said Rule reads as follows:--