Bombay High Court’s Nagpur Bench Hears Plea Challenging Tukaram Mundhe’s MCOCA Order Against Food Safety Violators
Bombay High Court's Nagpur Bench Hears Plea Challenging Tukaram Mundhe's MCOCA Order Against Food Safety Violators
Nagpur, July 4, 2026: An order issued by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Secretary Tukaram Mundhe directing action under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against those involved in the manufacture, transportation and sale of prohibited food products has been challenged before the Bombay High Court’s Nagpur Bench.
The petition has been filed by Mohammad Iqbal Mohammad Shafi from Buldhana, who has alleged that the June 12, 2026 order is arbitrary, one-sided and amounts to misuse of powers, adversely affecting the rights of ordinary citizens. The petitioner has sought the quashing of the order, contending that it is legally unsustainable.
Mundhe’s directive had instructed authorities to invoke MCOCA against individuals engaged in the production, financing, transportation and storage of banned food products, as well as those providing warehouses and involved in their retail sale.
Taking cognisance of the petition, the Nagpur Bench has issued notices to the Additional Chief Secretary of the Food and Drug Administration Department, the Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department, the FDA Commissioner and the Director General of Police, directing them to file their responses within three weeks.
The matter is expected to determine the legal validity of the FDA’s move to invoke stringent organised crime provisions against offenders involved in the illegal food trade.
