Kerala High Court on Wednesday issued notice against the Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli, actors Tamannaah Bhatia and Aju Varghese for promoting online rummy. It is alleged that these brand ambassadors play a significant role in influencing the youth and getting them addicted to such practices.
The High Court has also issued a notice to the state government and sought its response over the same issue.
A petition was filed by a native of Thrissur, Pauly Vadakkan which alleged, “Online Rummy games are becoming more and more popular. It should be legally prohibited. Other states have done the same. Kerala has a 1960 law. But no other steps have been taken. It does not include the topic of online rummy. The stars, who are the brand ambassadors, attracted the audience and took part in the competition. Online Rummy is within the limits of gambling.”
Vineeth, a 27-year-old man from Kerala committed suicide at Kuttichal in Thiruvananthapuram a few weeks ago after losing over Rs 21 lakh in the same online game.
“The intervention of the honourable High court is welcome as I know that several people have lost huge amounts of money playing this online game and I myself have lost more than Rs 6 lakh,” said Sajesh, another 32-year-old victim who lost a significant amount of money while playing online rummy.
He further added, “The brand ambassador’s indeed play a big role in attracting the gullible youth in playing this game which soon turns into an addiction. I had to seek professional medical help to come out of this addiction and the court must ban this game in India.”
