25 August,2026 03:51 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Bombay High Court. File Pic
The Bombay High Court on Tuesday directed the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to conduct a fresh inspection of five eateries at the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) premises after an inspection found cockroaches and flies in the kitchens.
During the hearing, the court also made a light-hearted reference to the presence of insects while questioning whether cricketers were aware that the tea being served at the premises could be considered "non-vegetarian".
The bench of Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad directed the MCA to clean the premises before the FDA carries out its fresh inspection on Thursday.
The court was hearing petitions filed by the MCA challenging the FDA's decision to suspend the licences of five restaurants operating at the cricket body's premises in Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) over alleged serious food safety and hygiene violations.
According to the FDA, the eateries were being operated by another entity, M/s Shirke Infrastructure, even though the licences had been issued in the name of the MCA.
The food safety authority had taken action after its inspection reportedly found several deficiencies at the premises, including the presence of insects in the kitchens.
Senior counsel Vikram Nankani, appearing for the MCA, argued that the FDA should have first issued an improvement notice, giving the eateries an opportunity to rectify the deficiencies before suspending their licences.
The bench, however, said an improvement notice was not necessarily required when authorities detected what it described as "gross violations" of hygiene standards.
"As per the FDA's inspection report, the eateries' kitchen was infested with cockroaches and flies, and the floor was slippery and dirty. If there is a gross violation of hygiene standards, then the FDA can decide to suspend the license forthwith," the court said.
The judges noted that food safety authorities must be able to take immediate action where serious hygiene violations are detected, particularly in establishments serving food to members of the public.
Nankani told the court that with all five eateries closed, the MCA was unable to serve even tea to cricketers who came to play at the ground.
The submission prompted a lighter moment during the hearing, with the court referring to the presence of flies and cockroaches in the kitchens.
"There are flies and cockroaches in the restaurants' kitchens. It is non-vegetarian tea. Do they (cricketers) know they are consuming this tea?" Acting Chief Justice Ghuge said in a lighter vein.
The court nevertheless permitted the MCA to install a vending machine to provide tea and coffee to players while the eateries remain closed.
The bench directed the FDA to carry out a fresh inspection of all five eateries on Thursday. It also directed the MCA to clean up the premises before the inspection.
The court said the arrangement was intended to balance the interests of the parties while ensuring that food safety standards were maintained.
The bench observed that the FDA's action had been appreciated across the state and said similar enforcement should continue in the future.
"What the FDA is doing is laudable. But once a restaurant/eatery clears up the deficiencies, then the suspension order needs to be revoked immediately. It cannot be kept pending as the FDA's objective has been achieved," the court said.
The court also directed the FDA to examine the contractual arrangement between the MCA and the private entity operating the five eateries.
The FDA had pointed out that the restaurants were being operated by M/s Shirke Infrastructure even though the licences were issued in the MCA's name.
The bench said the food safety authority should consider whether the arrangement was legally permissible while deciding how to proceed.
"If this contract is legally permissible, then the FDA shall apply its mind and take a pragmatic approach," the HC said.
The court's direction leaves the matter open for further consideration after the fresh inspection. The FDA will assess whether the deficiencies identified during its earlier inspection have been addressed, while the MCA has been asked to ensure that the premises are cleaned before the inspection.
The matter has been posted for further hearing on August 29.
(With inputs from PTI)
