Karnataka Civic Body Issues Notice to Virat Kohli's Pub Over Fire Safety Violations

Civic body Bengaluru Bruhat Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has sent a notice to cricketer Virat Kohli's pub 'One8 Commune' over alleged fire safety violations.

The restaurant is operating on the sixth floor of Ratnam's Complex at upscale M. G. Road near the Chinnaswamy International Cricket Stadium without a no objection certificate from the Fire Department.

Earlier, on November 29, a notice was issued based on the complaint filed by social activists H. M. Venkatesh and Kunigal Narasimhamurthy. But to date, no response has been received.
Now, the BBMP has been given seven days of deadline, and if clarification is missed once again, legal action would be initiated against the pub in question, the notice issued by the Health Officer of Shanthinagar Division of the BBMP read.

Complainant Venkatesh said, "Many restaurants, bars, and pubs in high-rise buildings across Bengaluru are operating without any fire safety measures in place. In the past, fire accidents in Bengaluru have led to significant loss of life and injuries. For example, during the Carlton Towers fire caused by a short circuit, people jumped off the building in an attempt to save their lives."

"To prevent such incidents, BBMP and the Fire Department have conducted audits. They found several buildings which didn't have proper fire safety measures and issued rules stating that licenses should not be granted to such buildings, and operations should not be permitted on those premises," Venkatesh demanded.

"Despite all these rules, the violations do not stop. In the same way, a restaurant on the top floor of Ratna Complex on MG Road has no fire safety measures in place. We have already lodged a complaint and brought it to the notice of BBMP. They have issued a notice. We have to see how active BBMP and the Fire Department will be in safety measures and implementing these effectively," he maintained.

Earlier, in July, One8 Commune was also booked for operating past 1 a.m. and an FIR was registered. The FIR said that the place was open and serving customers at 1.20 a.m., which was beyond the permissible time limit.