Trouble has mounted for cricketer Virat Kohli’s co-owned restaurant, One8 Commune, after Cubbon Park police booked it once again—this time for allowing public smoking. According to The Hindu, the raid was part of a broader crackdown on bars, restaurants, and public places that permit smoking in violation of public health laws.
Acting on a tip-off, a police team led by Sub-Inspector Ashwini G. conducted surprise checks and registered a case against the staff and manager of One8 Commune, located on Kasturba Road—barely 200 meters from the Cubbon Park police station.
This marks the second offence for the restaurant. In July last year, the same outlet had been booked for operating beyond permissible hours, along with two other eateries in Bengaluru’s central business district (CBD).
In addition to One8 Commune, managers and staff of four other establishments—Flo, Coco’s Bar and Restaurant, Social (Church Street), and Spirit Bar and Restaurant (Lavelle Road)—were also booked under Section 4 and 21 of the COTPA Act, which prohibits smoking in public places and sets penalties for violators.
The police have also launched a citywide awareness drive instructing commercial establishments and shopkeepers to secure a tobacco sales license from the BBMP along with their trade license. Officials warned that legal action will be taken against those selling loose cigarettes or selling to minors.
Bengaluru City Police Commissioner B. Dayananda had recently reiterated that strict action will be taken against public smoking and unregulated tobacco sales.
