LAWS(BOM)-1994-12-5

LALIT SEHGAL Vs. STATE OF GOA

Decided On December 13, 1994
LALIT SEHGAL Appellant
V/S
STATE OF GOA Respondents

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS group of writ petitions can be conveniently disposed of by a common judgment as they all seek to challenge the Notification No. 2-20-92 dated December 21, 1993 issued under section 13-A of the Goa, Daman and Diu Public Gambling Act, 1976 and also the restriction under the said section 13-A that games of electronic amusement/ slot machines can only be installed in Five Star Hotels as being violative of Articles 14 and 19 (1) (g) of the Constitution.

(2.) THE Goa, Daman and Diu Public Gambling Act, 1976 (for short, "the Act") was amended by the Goa, Daman and Diu Public Gambling (Amendment) Act, 1992 (for short, "the Amendment Act" ). The Amendment Act inserted into the Act a new section 13-A, which provides:-

(3.) THUS, the Amendment Act permitted the Government to authorise games of electronic amusement/slot machines with further power to formulate the terms and conditions on which such authorisation was to be granted.