The Delhi High Court has issued notice in a Public Interest Litigation filed seeking a ban on websites involved in gambling, wagering and betting.
A divisional bench comprising Chief Justice D.N. Patel and Justice Prateek Jalan has issued notice where the petition stated that
“Gambling leads individuals to depravity, and makes them gamble with their fortunes as a result of which a large number of persons face financial, economic and family crises.”
The petition has been filed by Avinash Mehrotra stating, “Gambling, i.e. wagering on games of chance is per se illegal, according to the laws of our country, and most state legislations have expressly forbidden the same.”
The petition has also contended that despite the presence of provisions like Delhi Public Gambling Act, 1955, a large number of websites can be accessed in the territory of India, through appropriate devices and a person is free to gamble with cards, or bet on the outcome of sport results, etc.
The plea has raised questions over the lack of enforcement of the law as these activities are being carried out, despite being expressly prohibited by law.
The bench has listed the matter for further hearing on January 29.