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Synopsis

The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Monday directed the State government to take concrete steps within three months to regulate online gambling/gaming and related activities.

Justice Vivek Agarwal  while taking note of the 'wider ramifications' that online gambling/gaming has on emotional, physiological and physical health of the youth, considered six months an inordinately long period. Therefore, of the six months prayed, three months was granted instead. 

The matter before the Court was pertaining a bail application filed by Sanat Kumar Jaiswal, a Singrauli district resident, accused of fraudulently withdrawing money from his grandfather's bank account. However, the fraudulently money so withdrawn was lost in IPL betting.

Counsel for Union of India, Assistant Solicitor General (ASG) Pushpendra Yadav submitted that as gambling and betting are a State subject under Entry 34 List II of Schedule VII to the Indian Constitution, the State Government is required to file its version and take appropriate steps to prevent unethical practices of online gambling/gaming.

The counsel for the State, G.P Singh filed an application accompanied by an affidavit from the Principle Secretary, Government of Madhya Pradesh, Department of Law and Legislative Affairs seeking an extension of time to file the report.

Singh in the application requested a six months extension as following the order passed in the present case on June 16, 2022, the Union of India convened a meeting of all the Home Secretaries of different States on July 21, 2022. The matter is now at the Inter-State Advisory Committee's level to decide what steps to take regarding online gaming, etc.

Accordingly, Court listed the matter for further hearing on November 30.

Case Title: Sanat Kumar Jaiswal @ Sant Kumar v. The State of Madhya Pradesh