The Bombay High Court has revoked the suspension of the food licence of a Pune-based sweet shop, Gurunanak Dairy and Sweets, after it remained closed for 34 days despite recording a 98% compliance score during a re-inspection. The court also directed the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to pay ₹5 lakh in compensation to the business.
A Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ravindra V Ghuge and Justice Gautam A Ankhad criticised the FDA’s decision to keep the shop shut after the fresh inspection found that it had met 35 out of 36 food safety requirements.
The case originated on June 12, when the FDA suspended the shop’s food licence following a food poisoning complaint and concerns related to sanitation. The shop challenged the suspension before the court on June 15.
According to the details presented before the High Court, the shop later submitted a compliance report to the FDA on July 9. An official re-inspection was conducted four days later, resulting in a score of 35 out of 36, or 98% compliance.
Despite the favourable inspection report, the FDA did not immediately restore the licence. The department reportedly argued that the suspension could not be lifted because an internal appeal against the original order was still pending.
The High Court rejected this explanation, describing it as a “lame excuse”. The Bench questioned why the business should be required to pursue an appeal after an inspection had found it almost fully compliant.
“Once you clear with 98%, you say, now, go and file an appeal. What is this? Torturing citizens,” the Bench observed.
The court clarified that the FDA had a legitimate responsibility to enforce food safety and hygiene standards. However, it found fault with the manner in which the department continued its action after the re-inspection.
The shop’s lawyer, Abhijeet Desai, told the court that the prolonged closure had resulted in an estimated revenue loss of ₹8.5 lakh for the business.
The High Court ultimately quashed the suspension order and allowed Gurunanak Dairy and Sweets to resume operations immediately. It also ordered the FDA to deposit ₹5 lakh as compensation within 30 days.
The ruling comes amid a wider food safety enforcement drive by the Maharashtra FDA targeting establishments including hotels, restaurants, clubs and quick-commerce dark stores. The court’s decision, however, focused specifically on the continued closure of the Pune sweet shop despite its subsequent high compliance score.