Sreenivasan v. The District Registrar (Administration)

ORDER The petitioner challenges the impugned order dated 17.03.2026 passed by the respondent, whereby the Form No.1 submitted by the petitioner seeking issuance of a certificate of registration under Section 10 of the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1975, was rejected.

¶2The 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.

¶3The 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 necessary licences) to members and their authorised guests.

¶7Activities in furtherance of the objects:

(b) Organising and conducting tournaments for sports and skill-based games (rummy, cards, etc.) and awarding prizes/trophies."

¶4The 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.

¶5A 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.

¶6In the result, the Writ Petition is allowed and the impugned order dated

17.03.2026 bearing No. AThiMU.No.1817/A3/2026 is set aside. The respondent is directed to register the petitioner's society and issue a certificate of registration under Section 10 of the Act, subject to the petitioner satisfying all other requirements and filing an affidavit undertaking deletion of clause 7(B) relating to awarding of prizes/trophies.

¶7The above exercise shall be completed within a period of four (4) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

¶8There shall be no order as to costs.

10.04.2026 Index : Yes/No Internet : Yes/No NCC : Yes/No sji To The District Registrar (Administration), Thoothukudi District Registrar Office, Thoothukudi District.

HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR, J. sji

10.04.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 10.04.2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR Sreenivasan .. Petitioner – Vs. - The District Registrar (Administration), Thoothukudi District Registrar Office, Thoothukudi District. .. Respondent Prayer: 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.Vishnuvardhan For Respondent : Mr.F.Deepak Special Government Pleader