In a big move, the Supreme Court on Friday said people were betting and gambling in the garb of Indian Premier League and sought the Centre's response on a PIL seeking to regulate betting applications.
A bench comprising Justice Surya and N. Kotiswar Singh issued the notice on a plea filed by K. A. Paul, who claimed that many children committed suicide after getting involved in online betting and gambling applications.
In name of IPL people betting, gambling: SC on PIL for regulation of online apps
What did the petitioner say?
Meanwhile, the petitioner alleged that various online influencers, actors and cricketers were promoting these online apps, due to which children were getting lured to betting.
Paul, who appeared in person in the court, said, "I am here on behalf of millions of parents whose children have died in the past couple of years. More than 1,023 people committed suicide in Telangana, as 25 Bollywood and Tollywood actors and influencers played with the lives of the innocents."
He also claimed that an FIR was lodged in Telangana against the influencers, as the matter violated fundamental rights.
Paul said even former cricketers were promoting these apps, due to which a lot of youngsters were indulging in betting.
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What did the bench say?
Hearing to the matter, the bench on Friday asserts that it cannot do much, as these were aberrations of society, and the enactment of law cannot stop people indulging in betting voluntarily.
The bench said, "In the name of IPL, a lot of people are betting and indulging in gambling. This is a serious issue." Paul claimed of representing "millions of parents" whose children have died in the past couple of years.
"More than 1,023 people died by suicide in Telangana, as 25 Bollywood and Tollywood actors/influencers played with the lives of the innocents," he said.
The bench expressed its helplessness terming the situation as "aberrations of society" and said the enactment of law cannot stop people from betting voluntarily.
"Nowadays, we have given the internet to our children. They carry it even to their schools. Parents watch one TV, children watch another. This is complete social aberration. What can be done? When people are indulging in these betting voluntarily. Principally, we are with you that it should be stopped... But probably you are under a misconception that it can be stopped through a law," the bench said.
(With PTI Inputs)
