Bengaluru bar operators' COTPA cases quashed subject to smoking-area undertakings
The Karnataka High Court heard 12 linked petitions concerning COTPA offences and BNSS NCRs registered by Upparpet and Cottonpet police against bar, restaurant and hotel-bar operators. The petitioners said smoking was not permitted and undertook to take steps to provide designated places for patrons interested in consuming tobacco products. On 12 March 2026 the Court quashed the crimes, NCRs and further proceedings, reserving revival if the State found a legal violation or breach of the undertakings.
This page records what the cited court records say happened. Findings belong to the court or authority that made them; this register adds none of its own. Names of private individuals are withheld unless a naming gate clears them.
How we verify →As of 12 March 2026, the High Court had quashed the crimes, NCRs and further proceedings; prosecution may revive if the State finds a legal violation or breach of an affidavit or undertaking.
What happened
The High Court recorded that the petitioners included operators and directors of bars, restaurants and a hotel bar in Bengaluru, proceeded against by Upparpet and Cottonpet police stations.
The order lists 12 COTPA crimes, including Crime Nos. 183/2025, 184/2025 and 187/2025, and 12 NCRs under Section 174 BNSS, including NCR Nos. 87, 88 and 91/2025. The petitioners argued that a smoking zone was unnecessary where smoking was not permitted.
The operators said patrons were not allowed to consume tobacco products and undertook to take steps to provide a designated place or room for patrons interested in consuming tobacco products.
The High Court stated that it deemed it appropriate to close the proceedings against the petitioners while retaining inspection power with the State. It ordered that prosecution would revive if a legal violation or breach of the affidavits was found.
What the record says
“UNDER SECTION 4 AND 21 OF THE CIGARETTES AND OTHER TOBACCO PRODUCTS ACT (COTPA)”
High Court of Karnataka order dated 12 March 2026 — read the full text
No complaining victim
The charged provisions were Sections 4 and 21 of COTPA and the related BNSS procedure for the NCRs.
What we could not confirm
The order gives no separate incident date for the FIRs or NCRs.