by reciprocal arrangement with Star of Mysore

Bangalore, Apr 18: Dealers in lotteries may heave a sigh of relief with the Karnataka High Court granting an interim order staying the ban on lotteries today.

Justice Abdul Nazeer passed the orders on writ petitions filed by the Government of Nagaland and Gem Solutions challenging the Karnataka Government's action in imposing the ban on all kinds of lotteries. The judge ordered issue of notice to the Government.

Appearing for the petitioners, former Attorney General of India Soli Sorabjee argued that the ban was illegal as the Karnataka Government had imposed it without following any guidelines.

He contended that the State Government had violated the Central Government's Act which permits lottery business. The action was unilateral, he added.

Sorabjee appealed to the Court to declare the ban null and void as the action would lead to many social problems. Nearly 4.5 lakh people involved in the business throughout Karnataka, were rendered jobless.

It may be mentioned here that the ban came into effect from Apr. 1 as announced by the Dy.CM B.S. Yediyurappa, who is also the Finance Minister, in his budget for 2007-08.

Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy had announced in several public meetings that the Government would ban lottery schemes of all States and private firms in the interest of the society.

Kumaraswamy defended his resolve saying that during his stay in villages womenfolk pleaded with him to impose ban on lotteries and arrack.

Soon after learning about the High Court's order, the Chief Minister held consultations with the officials of the Law Department.

Sources said that the Government was contemplating to move the Division Bench challenging the single judge bench's order.