Bombay HC slaps ₹5 lakh fine on FDA over delayed shop licence restoration

The Bombay High Court has imposed a ₹5 lakh cost on Maharashtra's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for not restoring the business licence of a Pune shop owner within a reasonable timeframe. The bench reportedly expressed displeasure at the regulatory body's handling of the case, suggesting the FDA had overstepped procedural norms.

Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said the department would review the court's order before issuing a formal response. "We operate strictly according to the law and established procedures, which we follow and implement," Mundhe stated, indicating the FDA's commitment to legal compliance.

The case highlights ongoing tensions between regulatory authorities and small business owners over licence renewal and restoration processes in Maharashtra. The High Court's intervention and penalty underscore judicial scrutiny of administrative delays that affect traders' livelihoods.

The FDA has been directed to examine the court order in detail and take appropriate action. The case is expected to set precedent for how regulatory delays are handled in future disputes between government agencies and business establishments in the state.