Sreenivasan v. The District Registrar (Administration),Thoothukudi District Registrar Office,Thoothukudi District

W.P.(MD)No.9999 of 2026BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURTDATED: 10.04.2026CORAMTHE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE HEMANT CHANDANGOUDARW.P.(MD)No.9999 of 2026 Sreenivasan.. Petitioner –Vs. - The District Registrar (Administration),Thoothukudi District Registrar Office, Thoothukudi District. .. RespondentPrayer: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records of the impugned order passed by the respondent in AthiMu.No.1817/A3/2026 dated 17.03.2026 and quash the same as illegal and consequently issue direction to the respondent to register the petitioner's application for issuance of certificate of registration under Section 10 of the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1975.For Petitioner : Mr.S.VishnuvardhanFor Respondent: Mr.F.Deepak Special Government Pleader ORDERThe petitioner challenges the impugned order dated 17.03.2026 passed by the respondent, whereby the Form No.1 submitted by the petitioner seeking 1/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)No.9999 of 2026issuance of a certificate of registration under Section 10 of the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1975, was rejected.

The petitioner proposes to establish a club in the name and style of “Well Done Sports and Recreation Club” at Thoothukudi, with the objective of promoting social interaction and physical and mental recreation among its members in a disciplined and regulated environment. The club also proposes to conduct indoor games of skill, including rummy, and has taken premises on lease for this purpose.

The respondent rejected the application on the ground that the objects set out in clauses 6(B), 6(C), and 7(B) of the bylaws are contrary to Section 3(2) of the Act. The relevant clauses are extracted below:

6. Objects of the Society: (b) Recreation & Skill Games: To provide and maintain facilities for indoor games of skill (including rummy, chess, carrom, billiards) and outdoor sports, thereby encouraging mental agility and sportsmanship; and to conduct tournaments and competitions in such games strictly in accordance with the laws in force. (c) Hospitality & Refreshments: To run and maintain a kitchen, canteen, or restaurant for the benefit of members, and to supply food, refreshments, and beverages (non-alcoholic, subject to 2/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)No.9999 of 2026necessary licences) to members and their authorised guests.7. Activities in furtherance of the objects: (b) Organising and conducting tournaments for sports and skill-based games (rummy, cards, etc.) and awarding prizes/trophies.

The petitioner has undertaken that the club will not award prizes or trophies as contemplated under clause 7(B) and has agreed to submit an application to the respondent for deletion of the said clause from the bylaws.

A reading of clauses 6(B), 6(C), and 7(B) indicates that the proposed activities pertain to games of skill and not games of chance. Therefore, the said clauses cannot be said to be contrary to Section 3(2) of the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1975. The rejection of the petitioner’s application is thus arbitrary and unsustainable.