Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has challenged allegations that FDA officials were extorting hotels, restaurants and quick-commerce businesses, asking anyone with evidence to share details with him or the Anti-Corruption Bureau.
Mundhe told The Indian Express that the charges levelled by Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut were generic and lacked specific details. He also said he had not received a copy of a letter reportedly written by Raut and had only read about its contents in media reports.
According to the reported letter, FDA Designated Officers, Assistant Commissioners and Food Safety Officers were allegedly collecting money from food businesses by threatening to suspend their licences. The letter reportedly claimed that payments demanded for closing notices had increased from Rs 10,000–12,000 before Mundhe became commissioner to between Rs 75,000 and Rs 2 lakh after he took charge.
“I haven’t received any copy of the letter. I have also read about it in media reports. I am really thankful to him. My request is that if he has details, please share them with me or with the Anti-Corruption Bureau, whoever he trusts,” Mundhe told the newspaper.
The allegations could affect small and mid-sized restaurateurs, hoteliers and quick-commerce operators that depend on food licences and regulatory approvals to continue operations. Businesses facing inspection or enforcement action may be required to engage with FDA officials over improvement notices, licence suspensions and other compliance measures.
Asked whether business owners feared retaliation or further harassment if they complained against an FDA officer, Mundhe said the regulator’s complaint portal masks the identity of complainants. He added that people approaching him directly would not have their identities disclosed to FDA officers, but said complaints would need to include evidence and details of the alleged transaction.
“If any of my officers is doing anything corrupt, please bring it to my notice with all the details,” Mundhe said, while asking licensees who had allegedly been asked for money or had paid it to identify the officer and provide information about the transaction.
Mundhe took charge as Maharashtra FDA commissioner on May 25. Until August, the regulator had conducted 12,083 inspections, issued 5,269 improvement notices and suspended 603 licences, according to the report. The figures indicate the scale of enforcement activity through which food businesses interact with the regulator, but do not establish whether the extortion allegations are true.
The commissioner’s stated next step is to receive complaints and supporting evidence from affected businesses, either through the FDA’s complaint mechanism or directly, and to refer or share relevant information with the Anti-Corruption Bureau.
