The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration has suspended the food business licences of Pune’s popular Vaishali and Rupali restaurants after inspections found multiple food-safety and hygiene violations at their premises on Fergusson College Road. The action means both establishments cannot conduct dine-in sales, takeaway or home delivery until the violations are corrected and written permission is issued after reinspection.
The inspections were carried out on 13 November 2026 under the FDA’s ‘Safe Food, Safe Maharashtra’ campaign. According to the report, the department found shortcomings involving kitchen safety, food storage, handling practices, sanitation, temperature records and staff training at both restaurants.
At Hotel Vaishali, located at 1218 Fergusson College Road, Food Safety Officer Ajinkya Subhash Umap recorded a score of 58 out of 98 during the inspection and classified the establishment as non-compliant. The inspection found a freezer for raw materials next to the women’s toilet and the dosa and uttapam griddle near the men’s toilet. Washed utensils were also found on a table outside a toilet.
The FDA report cited additional concerns at Vaishali, including boiled potatoes, cooked rice and other prepared food kept in an open corridor. The preparation of idli and dosa batter was taking place in an unsafe area, while raw cut vegetables were stored above ready-to-eat food, creating a risk of cross-contamination. The kitchen reportedly lacked pest-control doors, temperature-control records and an updated drinking-water test report. A FoSTaC-trained supervisor was also not present during the inspection.
The action followed an earlier inspection in June 2026, when the restaurant had reportedly been issued an improvement notice. The FDA said serious shortcomings continued after that notice, leading to the suspension order.
Rupali Restaurant, located at 1227/2 on Fergusson College Road, was inspected by Food Safety Officer A. D. Zhanjurne on 13 November. The inspection found that the kitchen was open and inadequately protected, potentially allowing dust, dirt and insects to come into contact with food. Water accumulation, inadequate sanitation and improper waste management were also reported on the premises.
The FDA further found that raw materials, partly processed items and prepared food were not properly covered or segregated. Some food items reportedly lacked required labelling and ‘Use By’ dates. Records relating to temperature control, a Food Safety Management System, standard operating procedures and FoSTaC training were not available, according to the report. The licence suspension order was issued on the same day after a hearing.
The enforcement action was carried out under the guidance of Joint Commissioner Shrikant R. Karkale and on the orders of Designated Officer and Assistant Commissioner of Food Syed Imran Hashmi. Both restaurants must rectify the violations before the FDA conducts a further inspection. Until the department confirms compliance and grants written permission, the establishments are barred from all food-business operations, including direct sales, parcel services and home delivery.
