Mumbai: Bombay HC on Monday directed the state Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to restore a Navi Mumbai restobar’s food licence, which was suspended on June 30, after it was informed that the establishment had reported 100% compliance compliance with food safety norms on July 14.Acting Chief Justice RV Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad questioned an assistant govt pleader representing the state why the suspension order had not been withdrawn forthwith after the restobar was found to be fully compliant during the second inspection.Hotel Pawan Bar and Restaurant, through its partner Pawan Shetty, had petitioned HC, the third such in recent days, to challenge as illegal and arbitrary the suspension order issued by FDA following an inspection. A food safety officer had on June 29 conducted a surprise inspection of the restobar under the provisions of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The suspension was “forthwith’’ submitted, but its restoration, even after a re-inspection showed 100% compliance over two weeks ago, was still awaited, said the establishment’s counsel, Mayur Khandeparkar.The suspension order was appealed on July 6, said the petition filed through advocate Sagar Shetty. But it was taken up for hearing before FDA only on July 28 and despite the restobar achieving all compliances, the suspension was not revoked and the appeal hearing was adjourned to Aug 4, it said. The restobar then came before HC.HC noted that the restobar’s liquor licence had also been suspended solely because the food business licence, which was the principal, had been suspended.HC asked the restobar to place on record the day-to-day business losses it incurred since July 14 and listed the matter for Aug 5 for further orders.
