Bombay HC Quashes FDA’s Suspension of Radisson Blu Hotel Licence, Questions Hygiene Action

Mumbai, 31st July 2026: The Bombay High Court has questioned the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) decision to suspend the food licence of Navi Mumbai’s four-star Radisson Blu Hotel, observing that regulatory action must be taken while keeping “ground realities” in mind.

“We should take decisions keeping in mind ground realities, keeping in mind that we are in India,” a division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad remarked while hearing the hotel’s petition challenging the suspension.

The court subsequently quashed the FDA’s suspension order, noting that the action was based solely on the discovery of two small insects during an inspection, despite the rest of the premises being found clean and compliant.

“The decision was made based on the discovery of only two insects. Everything else was found to be in order, and the hotel was clean. Therefore, this does not constitute a basis for permanently suspending the hotel’s licence,” the bench observed.

The FDA had suspended the hotel’s Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) licence on 3rd July, citing serious hygiene lapses and improper food handling practices. The action followed an inspection conducted under FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe’s statewide crackdown on food safety violations.
However, the High Court held that the authority’s response appeared disproportionate to the findings recorded during the inspection and set aside the suspension.

Days after the court’s order, the FDA carried out surprise inspections at canteens operating within the Bombay High Court premises, including those serving lawyers, court staff and visitors. Officials collected food samples and checked hygiene standards as part of the department’s ongoing inspection drive. The move has drawn attention as it comes immediately after the High Court criticised the regulator’s handling of the Radisson Blu case.