Bombay HC Orders ₹5 Lakh Compensation to Pune Sweet Shop

The Bombay High Court has directed Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to pay ₹5 lakh compensation to Pune-based Gurunanak Dairy and Sweets, after questioning why its food licence remained suspended despite a subsequent inspection finding the establishment 98% compliant with food-safety norms. The shop’s licence was suspended on June 12, 2026, following an inspection prompted by a food-poisoning complaint that identified deficiencies related to sanitation, maintenance and hygiene; the business claimed it suffered a loss of ₹8.74 lakh after remaining shut since June.

The shop subsequently submitted a compliance report, and an FDA re-inspection conducted on July 13 found it compliant with 35 of 36 food-safety parameters, equivalent to about 98% compliance, but the licence was not restored. After repeated requests to revoke the suspension received no response, Gurunanak Dairy and Sweets approached the Bombay High Court, which set aside the suspension and allowed the shop to resume operations while directing the FDA to pay the ₹5 lakh compensation within 30 days.

The ruling has put a spotlight on the balance between strict food-safety enforcement and proportionate regulatory action, particularly as Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has been leading a wider crackdown on food-safety violations across the state. In a related response, Mundhe said the FDA stands by its original action, citing the food-poisoning complaint and an “unsafe” test report, and indicated that the department would pursue available legal remedies after receiving the written court order. (moneycontrol.com)

Source: Dairynews7x7 19 Aug, 2026 Read full story here

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