June 2, 2025: One8 Commune, the upscale pub and restaurant owned by Indian cricket star Virat Kohli, has once again come under legal scrutiny in Bengaluru. The Cubbon Park Police have registered a suo-motu case against the establishment for violating the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) by allegedly failing to provide a designated smoking area.
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According to a report, a police team led by Sub-Inspector Ashwini G conducted a surprise inspection at the venue, located on Kasturba Road — just 200 meters from the police station — after receiving a tip-off. The case has been registered under Sections 4 and 21 of the COTPA, and the pub’s manager and staff have been booked for non-compliance.
This incident is part of a broader crackdown by city authorities to enforce public health regulations. Bengaluru Police have also launched a citywide awareness drive urging shopkeepers and establishments to obtain proper licences from the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) for selling tobacco products. Legal action has been promised for businesses that fail to comply.
This is not the first time One8 Commune has landed in legal trouble. In July 2024, the same police station filed an FIR against the venue for operating past permitted hours and playing loud music, disturbing nearby residents. In December, the BBMP issued a notice for fire safety violations, claiming the restaurant lacked a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Fire Department despite being located on the sixth floor of a commercial complex.
The current case once again raises concerns about regulatory compliance in Bengaluru’s bustling nightlife sector, especially in high-rise locations where fire safety and public health are increasingly under scrutiny following past tragedies like the Carlton Towers fire.
Despite repeated warnings and mounting legal issues, One8 Commune has yet to issue a public statement regarding the latest charges.