Bengaluru police registered a case against One8 Commune, a pub owned by cricketer Virat Kohli for violating smoking zone regulations under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003. The case was registered on May 31 at Cubbon park police station following an inspection conducted two days earlier. According to reports, the establishment lacked a demarcated designated smoking zone, a mandatory requirement for commercial establishments that permit smoking.
The First Information Report (FIR) has been registered under section 4 of COTPA, which prohibits smoking in public places, as well as Section 21, which prescribes penalties for violations in such zones.
This is the third time in less than a year that One8 Commune has faced legal troubles over compliance issues. In July 2024, the pub’s manager was booked for operating the venue beyond the 1am curfew mandated by city regulations, after the establishment was found open until 1.30 am.
In December 2024, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) served a second notice to the restaurant, citing a lack of fire safety clearance.
On May 30, the Karnataka government notified the COTPA (Karnataka Amendment) Act, 2024, introducing stringent measures to curb tobacco consumption in the state. The legal age to purchase cigarettes and other tobacco products has been raised from 18 to 21 years. The definition of “use” of tobacco in public places has also been expanded to include both smoking and spitting.
Designated smoking areas will continue to be allowed in hotels with more than 30 rooms, restaurants with seating capacity over 30, and at airports. Penalties for violations in public places have been significantly increased, with fines under sections 21, 24, and 28 (Penalty on sale of tobacco in restricted places to individuals under 21) raised from Rs 200 to Rs 1,000.