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Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has strongly defended his department’s action after the Bombay High Court ordered the FDA to pay ₹5 lakh compensation to Gurunanak Dairy and Sweets in Pune. The court directed the agency to restore the shop’s food licence immediately, criticising the continued suspension despite a re-inspection showing 98% compliance (35 of 36 parameters).

Mundhe told the media the action was taken in public interest after consumers were hospitalised due to food poisoning and the test report labelled the sweets “unsafe.” “The action we took was correct; there was nothing wrong there. We stand by what we say,” he stated. Calling the court order surprising, he added that the FDA is awaiting the written order and will examine it before deciding further legal steps. The shop had remained shut for over a month, claiming losses of around ₹8.74 lakh.