Virat Kohli’s One8 Commune Pub In Bengaluru Booked For Smoking Law Violation

One8 Commune, the popular Bengaluru pub co-owned by cricketer Virat Kohli, has once again landed in legal trouble, this time for flouting anti-smoking regulations. The Cubbon Park Police, on May 31, filed an FIR against the manager after finding that the pub allowed smoking inside the premises without a separate designated area.

The absence of a designated smoking zone was in violation of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), which regulates the distribution and advertisement of tobacco products.

As per the FIR, on May 29, at around 6:30 pm, a constable patrolling the Kasturba Road area received a tip-off about violations at the pub. The informant said that customers at One8 Commune, located on the sixth floor of Ratnam’s Complex near Chinnaswamy Stadium, were smoking inside the pub without a designated smoking zone being provided.

Police visited the pub for inspection and found the allegations to be true. The FIR notes that smoking was indeed being allowed in the general customer area, violating Section 4 of the COTPA Act, which bans smoking in public places without a specified and segregated smoking zone.

As a result, an NCR (Non-Cognisable Report) was initially filed. Later, a formal FIR was registered against the pub’s manager and staff for violating the provisions of COTPA Act.

This isn't the first time Virat Kohli’s upscale pub has faced legal scrutiny.

In June 2024, the Bengaluru Police had booked One8 Commune and several other bars on MG Road for violating the city’s night-time business rules. The pub was found open at 1:30 am, 30 minutes past the 1:00 am curfew for bars and eateries. Loud music and public disturbances were also cited in the complaint.

In another incident in December last year, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) issued a notice to the pub over alleged fire safety lapses. A complaint claimed that One8 Commune was operating without a mandatory fire safety clearance certificate. Despite the civic body's 7-day deadline for explanation and compliance, the management allegedly failed to respond or implement corrective measures.

Pubs that violate the COTPA Act, 2003, can face legal action, including fines and possible shutdowns. 

The law lays out specific guidelines for pubs and bars. The Act lays out that no smoking in public places is allowed unless there is a designated smoking area with proper ventilation and signage. Owners and managers are held accountable if smoking is allowed in violation of the law.

In Karnataka, fines have been increased from Rs 200 to Rs 1,000 for smoking or spitting tobacco in public. New rule (Section 4A) says Hookah bars are completely banned, even in pubs and cafes.

Violations can lead to FIRs, court action and closure notices from civic bodies.