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As cricket enthusiasts gear up for the much-anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 Final between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings, Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli finds himself amid an off-field controversy.
Trouble brewing for Virat Kohli’s Bengaluru pub ahead of IPL 2025 final
Kohli’s high-profile pub and restaurant, One8 Commune, located in Bengaluru’s upscale Kasturba Road area, has once again come under legal scrutiny, this time for violating provisions of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA). The timing couldn’t be more sensitive, as Kohli will lead with the bat, RCB into a historic final, seeking his first IPL title. Meanwhile, regulatory heat around his hospitality venture has intensified, putting additional pressure on one of the country’s most celebrated sports personalities.
According to the India Today report, the Cubbon Park Police have registered a suo motu case against One8 Commune under Sections 4 and 21 of the COTPA Act, citing the absence of a designated smoking area within the premises. These provisions clearly state that establishments such as hotels, restaurants, and airports must provide a specific, enclosed area for smoking, away from general public spaces. The absence of such a facility at One8 Commune places the restaurant in direct violation of these public health laws.
The report further stated that, according to officials, the case was filed as part of a special enforcement drive launched by the Bengaluru City Police to ensure strict compliance with smoking regulations in the city’s commercial hotspots. This drive reflects a broader initiative by city authorities to safeguard public health in enclosed public spaces, especially in premium zones where foot traffic is high and celebrity-linked venues often attract leniency or escape regulatory radar.
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Karnataka government’s tough law intensifies pressure
The report also explained that this enforcement action comes in the wake of significant legislative developments by the Karnataka government, which recently imposed a blanket ban on hookah bars across the state. Additionally, the legal age for purchasing tobacco products was increased from 18 to 21 years, a move that aligns with global best practices in youth tobacco prevention. These changes form part of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Amendment Act, 2024, which was recently signed into law after receiving the President’s assent.
This is not the first time that Kohli’s One8 Commune has run into regulatory trouble. In July 2024, the same Cubbon Park Police Station had filed an FIR against the pub for operating beyond permitted hours. The establishment was allegedly open past 1 AM and was playing loud music, prompting several complaints from nearby residents about noise disturbances and violation of licensing rules. At the time, One8 Commune was one of three popular establishments in Bengaluru’s Central Business District that faced similar legal actions.
The controversy didn’t stop there. In December 2024, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) issued a formal notice to the pub for fire safety violations and for operating without a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Fire Department. The inspection revealed that the restaurant, situated on the sixth floor of Ratnams Complex, lacked essential fire safety measures. The complaint had been raised by a local social activist, prompting BBMP officials from the Shantinagar Zone to act. Despite multiple warnings and notices, the management reportedly failed to comply or respond adequately, heightening concerns about the establishment’s disregard for safety and regulatory standards.
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