City clubs pay mamool to policemen to run the show

Though the city police have started cracking the whip on clubs after the suicide of a gambler at the Country Club, managements of these flourishing businesses say they have been running their activities for years, right under the nose of police. Sources say police get their due amount to allow the clubs to run their activities. The managements of these recreation spots, spas and clubs reportedly offer 'mamool' to police for organising activities like gambling and card games inside their premises. They offer around `15,000 to each police station per month for running the show, sources said. What's more, they also provide valuable 'gifts' on every festivals and invite the policemen's family to various events organised by the clubs, sometimes free of cost. An inspector of a city police station, disclosed on the condition of anonymity that managements of various spas, recreation spots and clubs offer attractive sums to the entire staff on a monthly basis. "Its a open secret. They offer between `15,000 to `20,000 per month to the police station under which the club comes. Club managements also send gifts during the festival season and provide passes of various club events, sometimes with free entry," the inspector said. This might have caused grounds for disinclination to move against clubs that entertain members through activities such as gambling and card games. Some club managements alleged they do offer 'gifts' to politicians as well, from the local corporator to ministers. When the issue was raised before the North Zone deputy commissioner of police Ch Srikanth, he said they would take action against any policemen if they get any information. Meanwhile, in wake professional gambler K M Srinivasa Rao's suicide, police are all set to crack the whip on recreation spots and clubs that provide gambling and rummy games to members. The Task Force police have also constituted special teams to identify the illegal clubs. "We are preparing a comprehensive list of illegal clubs, spas and recreation spots. Following the incident at Country Club, we are asking all clubs and amusement spots to stop such activities," said K Raghuram Reddy, additional deputy commissioner of police (Task Force). The Central Zone police have set up a special Vices Control Unit (VCU) which would continuously monitor activities in various clubs in its jurisdiction. Decoys would be sent to check up on the clubs and police will raid and register cases under relevant provisions of law. It will be headed by inspector Majid Ali Khan, who can be contacted on  9490616187 and 040-27852759 for any information regarding illegal activities or gambling in clubs. There are seven clubs- Nizam Club, Fateh Maidan Club, Hyderabad Boat Club, Lady Hyderi Club, Hyderabad Club, Intimate Friends Club and Greater Family Club in the Central Zone. While the Lady Hyderi is meant only for women, Intimate Friends' club is for senior citizens.

Game of chance?

The 'three-card' game, which goes under names such as flush and brag is a game of pure chance. Rummy on the other hand, requires a certain amount of skill because fall of the card has to be memorised and holding and discarding cards. The chance factor in Rummy is of the same character as chance in a deal at Bridge. In fact, in all games in which cards are shuffled and dealt out, there is an element of chance because distribution of cards is not according to any set pattern but dependent on how cards find their place in the shuffled pack

Legal consent for card games:

There are about 60 clubs registered under the AP Public (Telangana area) Societies Registration Act in the city. The High Court in a 2002 judgment clearly stated registered clubs need not take police permission to run as they were only meant for recreational activities and entertained only registered members and their guests. While the court directed police into clubs for verification on September 5, 2002, it felt the card room where members and guests play games like rummy (13-card game) with stakes would not attract provisions of the Act and managements should maintain proper details of its members such as name, address and contact numbers.

By Mouli Mareedu