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Bombay HC Relief Brings Five MCA Restaurants Back After FDA Suspension Row
Mumbai: Five restaurants operating inside the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) premises in Mumbai’s Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) are set to reopen after the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) withdrew its licence suspension order on Saturday following intervention by the Bombay High Court.
The decision came after a fresh inspection found the eateries 88 percent compliant with food safety regulations, while the court questioned the FDA’s continued action and asked the department to follow a more balanced approach in the licence dispute.
The Bombay High Court cleared the reopening of five restaurants located at the Mumbai Cricket Association premises on Friday after the Maharashtra FDA reversed its earlier decision to suspend their food licences.
The development came after the FDA submitted a fresh inspection report showing that the restaurants had achieved 88% compliance with food safety norms. The court observed that once establishments had taken corrective steps and improved compliance levels, the continuation of the suspension required careful legal consideration.
The eateries located inside the Sharad Pawar Indoor Cricket Academy premises in Mumbai’s BKC area had been shut following an FDA inspection that highlighted concerns related to hygiene, food handling, storage conditions and operational arrangements.
The court’s intervention brought relief to the Mumbai Cricket Association, which had challenged the FDA’s action and sought permission for the restaurants to resume services.
The dispute started after the Maharashtra FDA conducted an inspection of the MCA premises on August 20 and identified several alleged violations linked to food safety standards. The five affected outlets included Permit Room, Pavilion, Mediterranean, Oriental Swing and Clubway & Pastry Counter.
During the inspection, FDA officials raised concerns over refrigeration systems, food storage practices, temperature control measures, sanitation conditions and handling procedures.
Based on these findings, the regulator suspended the licences of the restaurants, stating that corrective action was required before allowing normal operations.
The action was part of Maharashtra FDA’s larger food safety enforcement drive targeting restaurants, hotels, canteens and other food establishments across the state.
The Mumbai Cricket Association approached the Bombay High Court against the suspension order, arguing that the decision affected restaurant operations at its premises.
The case also involved questions over the operational arrangement between MCA and M/s Shirke Infrastructure, which was managing the restaurants while the licences remained registered under the association’s name. FDA had argued that the third-party operational structure required further examination before allowing the outlets to function.
Following the court’s directions, a fresh inspection was carried out, which showed that the restaurants had achieved 88% compliance with food safety requirements.
During the hearing, the Bombay High Court questioned the FDA’s approach and observed that regulatory action should not be limited to technical interpretation but should also consider practical realities.
The Bench of Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad examined why the department continued with the suspension despite improved compliance findings. The court also questioned whether officials had fully analysed the legal aspects of the matter before extending the suspension order.
Earlier, the High Court had acknowledged the FDA’s efforts to improve food safety standards but advised authorities to ensure consistency and fairness while taking enforcement action.
Following the court proceedings, the Maharashtra FDA agreed to issue a fresh notice to the Mumbai Cricket Association and provide an opportunity to explain its contractual arrangement with Shirke Infrastructure.
The department will examine the agreement and complete the required legal process before taking any further decision regarding the licensing issue. After accepting the FDA’s undertaking, the Bombay High Court allowed the restaurants to reopen and disposed of the petitions.
During the earlier stage of the dispute, the Bombay High Court had permitted MCA to continue limited beverage services through automated tea and coffee vending machines.
The court had also directed the FDA to conduct a fresh inspection rather than relying only on the earlier assessment report. The latest compliance findings became a turning point in the case and resulted in the withdrawal of the suspension order.
The MCA restaurant case comes amid a wider Maharashtra FDA campaign aimed at improving hygiene and safety standards in food establishments. As part of the drive, the regulator inspected multiple hotels, restaurants, eateries and roadside food outlets across the state.
The department carried out inspections, conducted raids, issued improvement notices and suspended licences of establishments where serious violations were detected. The FDA has maintained that strict monitoring is necessary to protect consumers and improve food quality standards.
The reopening decision brings relief for restaurant employees, operators and visitors who depend on food services at the MCA facility. The case also highlights the challenges faced by businesses in balancing food safety compliance, licensing requirements and third-party operational agreements. The dispute could have wider implications for similar cases involving commercial food outlets operating inside institutional premises.
The Maharashtra FDA will now review the contractual arrangement between MCA and Shirke Infrastructure before taking any further action. The restaurants can resume operations but will continue to remain under regulatory monitoring to ensure compliance with food safety standards. The case may also influence future licence suspension disputes where businesses take corrective measures after inspection-related violations.
