NEW DELHI: Cricket player Virat Kohli‘s pub, “One8 Commune,” has received a notification from the civic organization Bengaluru Bruhat Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) regarding suspected fire safety infractions.
According to reports, the restaurant, which is situated on the sixth floor of Ratnam’s Complex on posh M. G. Road close to the Chinnaswamy International Cricket Stadium, is operating without a fire department no objection certificate.
A notification regarding the complaint of social activists Kunigal Narasimhamurthy and H. M. Venkatesh was previously issued on November 29. But as of yet, no response has been obtained.
The notice from the BBMP’s Health Officer of Shanthinagar Division stated that the BBMP has been given a seven-day deadline and that legal action will be taken against the aforementioned pub if clarification is not obtained this time as well.
Complainant Venkatesh stated, “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 instance, 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 identified several buildings without 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 these rules, violations continue unabated. Similarly, a restaurant in a high-rise building at Ratna Complex on MG Road is lacking fire safety measures. We have raised this issue and brought it to the attention of the BBMP by filing a complaint. Following this, they have issued a notice. It remains to be seen how proactive BBMP and the Fire Department will be in ensuring safety and implementing these measures effectively,” he maintained.
One8 Commune was the subject of a formal complaint in July for operating over the 1 a.m. deadline. According to the FIR, the institution was open and taking orders at 1.20 a.m., which was later than allowed.
