By News Desk 
New Delhi, May 25 — In a significant judgment, the Supreme Court of India ruled that playing cards for recreational purposes does not amount to immoral conduct, provided it does not involve gambling or betting. The decision came as the Court reinstated Hanumantarayappa Y.C. to the board of a cooperative society in Karnataka.
A bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice N. Kotiswar Singh made the observation while hearing an appeal related to Hanumantarayappa, who had been removed from the board of directors of the Government Porcelain Factory Employees Housing Co-operative Society Ltd. The removal followed an incident where he was reportedly caught playing cards by the roadside with a few others and was allegedly fined ₹200 without a formal hearing.
The Court remarked that the allegations against the appellant did not constitute “moral turpitude,” a term reserved for acts that are inherently depraved or corrupt. “Every act that may invite disapproval cannot be classified as morally reprehensible,” the bench noted.
Importantly, the judges acknowledged that Hanumantarayappa was not a habitual gambler and emphasized that there are multiple forms of card games. “It is difficult to assume that all forms of card games involve moral misconduct, especially when played for entertainment,” the Court stated. It further observed that in many parts of the country, playing cards without any stakes is a common and accepted form of recreation among lower-income groups.
The Court also pointed out that Hanumantarayappa had received the highest number of votes in the cooperative society’s elections, and nullifying his election over such an incident was “grossly disproportionate.”
Concluding the hearing, the Supreme Court overturned the Karnataka High Court’s ruling that had upheld his disqualification and declared that the action taken against Hanumantarayappa could not be legally justified. The appeal was accepted, effectively restoring his position on the society’s board.