Indian cricketer Virat Kohli.
Credit: PTI Photo
Bengaluru: The Bengaluru police have booked three restaurants in the central business district (CBD), including One8 Commune co-owned by cricket star Virat Kohli, for operating beyond permissible hours.
The Cubbon Park police booked the three establishments on July 6 based on complaints from police sub-inspectors. A senior police officer overseeing the cases said it was a routine check, and not a special drive.
“The patrolling team from the Cubbon Park police station found these restaurants serving customers beyond permissible timings. The sub-inspectors in charge of the specific zones filed complaints,” the officer told DH.
Police personnel visited the three restaurants on the intervening night of July 5 and 6 after receiving tip-offs from informants and ascertained that they were indeed operating beyond the closure deadline.
Restaurants in Bengaluru are permitted to operate until 1 am (save for exceptions) and face action if they violate the deadline, according to the police.
PSI Ashok Takur visited One8 Commune, Queen’s Circle, at 1.20 am. PSI Chethan SG visited Hotel Pangeo, Brigade Road, at 1.10 am, and Empire Restaurant, Church Street, at 1.35 am.
The PSIs found all the restaurants open during the time of the visit and took the statements of the respective managers.
The PSIs later filed a non-cognisable report (NCR) at the police station and converted them into FIRs after obtaining permission from a court.
The restaurants have been booked under Section 103 of the Karnataka Police Act, which stipulates penalty for contravention of orders under Section 31. Section 31 deals with the power to make orders for the regulation of traffic and the preservation of order in public places, etc.
The officer quoted earlier said the restaurant managers would be summoned, if necessary, and that the police will be prepared to file a charge sheet in all the cases.