Bombay High Court questions cleanliness certificate to Mantralaya canteen, asks FDA and lawyers to reinspect premises
The Bombay High Court has ordered an independent inspection of the Mantralaya canteen after questioning the validity of a 98% cleanliness score awarded by the FDA. The court emphasized the need for the FDA to remain impartial and avoid favoring government establishments over private businesses.
Why it matters
It highlights judicial oversight in ensuring government accountability and fair regulatory practices in public health standards.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) needs to be ‘fair, impartial and uniform’ in its drive concerning hotels and eateries, including those in government and semi-government establishments, the Bombay High Court noted on Friday (July 31, 2026), questioning the agency’s ‘98% clean certificate to the Mantralaya (State Secretariat) canteen.
A Bench of Acting Chief Justice (ACJ) Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad ordered a team of four lawyers to immediately visit and inspect the Mantralaya canteen and report to the Court in the afternoon on the situation there.
Within hours of the directive, the FDA, accompanied by lawyers, inspected the canteen at the state secretariat to check for hygiene and food safety standards.
Earlier in the day, the FDA submitted to the Court a chart detailing all eateries and canteens, including the three on the High Court premises and at Mantralaya, as well as private clubs across the city.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in