HC pulls up FDA for ‘mechanical’ suspension of licences of five Mumbai Cricket Association eateries

The Bombay High Court on Saturday pulled up the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration for passing a “mechanical” order refusing to revoke the suspension of licences of five eateries operating on the premises of the Mumbai Cricket Association, despite the court’s earlier direction to reconsider the matter, Live Law reported.

The licences had been suspended on Monday amid a statewide drive by the administration against eateries and other establishments for alleged violations of food safety norms.

The High Court had subsequently directed the Food and Drug Administration to re-inspect the premises and take a fresh decision on the suspension of licences of the five eateries: Permit Room, Oriental Swing, Clubway & Pastry Counter, Mediterranean and Pavilion. The establishments operate from the Sharad Pawar Indoor Cricket Academy and Recreational Centre in Mumbai’s Bandra-Kurla Complex.

On Saturday, a division bench of Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad expressed displeasure after being informed that an assistant commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration had passed an order retaining the suspension of the licences.

The bench said the official had failed to “apply his mind” and had passed the order in a “pedantic” manner.

The judge also questioned why the administration had not complied with the court’s directions and warned that contempt proceedings...

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