07/03/2026.-On 06th March 2026, from evening till late night, and again in the early hours of
07th March 2026, a special drive was conducted across all 13 police station limits of
the North Division, Bengaluru City, under the supervision of senior police officers.
During the operation, police teams carried out surprise inspections at places
where smoking is prohibited and took action against individuals who were smoking in
public places. They also inspected shops that had illegally displayed advertisements of
cigarettes or beedis at the entrance of their establishments. Cases were registered
against those violating the COTPA (Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act) and
fines were imposed on individuals found consuming tobacco products in prohibited
areas.
This special operation was conducted under the guidance of the Police
Commissioner, Bengaluru City, and the Joint Commissioner of Police (West),
Bengaluru City, and was led by B.S. Nemagouda, IPS, Deputy Commissioner of
Police, North Division.The drive involved Assistant Commissioners of Police from
three sub-divisions, Police Inspectors of 13 police stations, PSIs, and other staff.
As part of this operation, a total of 40 cases were registered under the COTPA
Act, and 295 persons who were found smoking in prohibited public places were fined.says release.