Bomaby High Court
In the MCA matter, the FDA told the court that it would withdraw its order suspending the operations of five restaurants after the bench warned of contempt action against the officials concerned. The court said there was no provision under the law prohibiting such an arrangement. Let them convince us or go to jail,” the HC said.
The court’s observations came while hearing two matters — one concerning five restaurants at the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) premises in Bandra-Kurla Complex and the other involving Cipla Pharma & Life Sciences Ltd’s facility in Pune. It also reminded the FDA that, at the previous hearing, it had specifically directed officials to apply their mind to the issue and take a pragmatic view. “However, despite clearly saying this, the FDA has disobeyed our order and taken a pedantic view instead of a pragmatic view. We are tired of scolding the department and officers all the time. It is now time to pass stinging orders. We will issue contempt action against the concerned officers. Following the court’s warning, the FDA agreed to issue a fresh notice to the MCA, hear its response on the contract with Shirke Infrastructure and pass a reasoned order.
MUMBAI: The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Saturday withdrew two enforcement orders after the Bombay high court pulled up the regulator over its handling of separate cases involving five MCA eateries and a Cipla facility in Pune.