The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) arrested 184 people and filed 144 FIRs in Pune division between June and August 2026 as it intensified action against violations of food safety rules, licensing requirements and hygiene standards. The enforcement drive covered Pune division’s four districts—Satara, Sangli, Solapur and Kolhapur.
The FDA released data for the three-month period after Tukaram Mundhe took charge of the department in May 2026. Pune division recorded the second-highest number of arrests among the state’s seven administrative divisions, behind Konkan, according to the administration’s figures.
The action included inspections of 4,261 establishments during June, July and August. The inspected establishments were assessed for compliance with food safety regulations, hygiene requirements, licences and other statutory conditions. The administration said action was taken where violations or shortcomings were found.
Improvement notices were issued to 1,321 establishments. These notices relate to deficiencies that authorities required operators to address. In cases involving serious shortcomings or violations, the licences of 168 establishments were suspended.
The enforcement drive also resulted in the seizure of food stocks valued at Rs 11.44 crore. The administration did not provide, in the released figures cited by Loksatta, a district-wise break-up of the seizures, the types of establishments involved or the specific categories of food stock confiscated.
The figures indicate that the department relied on both administrative and criminal proceedings during the period. Along with notices and licence suspensions, the filing of 144 FIRs and the arrest of 184 people marked a focus on criminal action against alleged violations.
Pune division’s coverage across four districts gives the enforcement data a regional scope beyond Pune city. However, the available figures do not establish how many cases resulted in prosecution, how many establishments resumed operations after corrective action, or whether suspended licences were later restored.
The FDA’s next steps, including any further inspections, proceedings or decisions on the suspended establishments, will determine how the department follows up on the violations recorded during the three-month enforcement period.
