The Bombay High Court is reviewing a legal challenge against Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Official FDA Website Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe’s June 12 order to invoke strict anti-crime laws in illegal gutka cases.
FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe directed authorities to apply the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against habitual offenders smuggling banned gutka and tobacco. A criminal writ petition argues that a blanket order to use MCOCA goes beyond the legal powers of the FDA.
The Bombay High Court refused to stay the order. However, the court ruled that officials must strictly follow mandatory legal safeguards under Section 23 of the Act, noting that FDA teams cannot bypass police procedures or act independently.
The court issued a formal notice requiring the Maharashtra state government to submit a detailed reply. The case is scheduled for its next hearing on September 4.
News Edit KV Raman
