Bengaluru’s civic body, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), has issued a notice to former India captain Virat Kohli’s restaurant-pub, ‘One8 Commune,’ located on M.G. Road, for alleged fire safety violations. According to the notice, the establishment is operating without a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Fire Department.
The restaurant, situated on the sixth floor of Ratna Complex near Chinnaswamy Stadium, home to Kohli’s IPL team Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), has drawn attention for non-compliance. The BBMP notice follows a complaint by social activists H.M. Venkatesh and Kunigal Narasimhamurthy.
Seven-Day Deadline to Respond
Earlier, a notice was issued to the restaurant on November 29, but it failed to respond. The BBMP’s Shanthinagar Division Health Officer has now issued another notice, giving the restaurant a seven-day deadline to clarify its position. If the restaurant fails to comply, the BBMP has warned of legal action.
“Many restaurants, bars, and pubs in high-rise buildings across Bengaluru lack fire safety measures. Past fire incidents, such as the Carlton Towers fire caused by a short circuit, have resulted in significant casualties. People have even jumped off buildings to save their lives,” complainant Venkatesh explained, as reported by IANS.
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Fire Safety Audit Findings
Venkatesh highlighted that audits conducted by BBMP and the Fire Department have revealed several buildings operating without proper fire safety measures. “Despite strict rules prohibiting operations without fire safety compliance, violations persist. The same issue exists at the Ratna Complex on M.G. Road. We have raised this concern with BBMP, and they have responded with a notice. It remains to be seen if the authorities enforce these safety measures effectively,” he added.
Past Legal Troubles
This is not the first time the restaurant has faced legal issues. In July, an FIR was filed against ‘One8 Commune’ for operating beyond the permissible hours. The report alleged that the establishment continued serving customers at 1:20 a.m., violating the 1:00 a.m. deadline.
Importance of Fire Safety Compliance
The ongoing scrutiny of high-rise restaurants underscores the importance of adhering to fire safety norms. Bengaluru has witnessed tragic fire incidents in the past, emphasizing the need for stringent enforcement of safety regulations to prevent potential loss of life.
As the BBMP intensifies its actions, the response from ‘One8 Commune’ and the outcome of this investigation will be closely watched.