Archive · 29 Sep 2026
Raut Alleges Maharashtra FDA Extortion, Mundhe Seeks Specific Complaints
Sanjay Raut says some food-safety officers may have asked businesses for illegal payments.
He says officials threatened hotels, restaurants and delivery companies with licence suspensions.
Raut claims the alleged payments for closing notices became much larger.
He also described an alleged Rs 17–Rs 18 lakh demand in Thane.
He questioned whether some complaints, including social-media posts, were checked properly.
Raut wants an independent investigation and public information about licence decisions.
FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said people with specific evidence should file a formal complaint.
He said appropriate action would be taken if the allegations were proved.
The allegations have not been independently verified.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut accused Maharashtra FDA officials of extorting hotels, restaurants and quick-commerce businesses.
Raut alleged officials threatened licence suspensions and demanded payments through closing notices, with claimed rates rising from Rs 10,000–Rs 12,000 to Rs 75,000–Rs 2 lakh.
He cited an alleged Rs 17–Rs 18 lakh payment involving two Thane Designated Officers to restore a suspended quick-commerce licence.
Raut demanded an independent inquiry, disciplinary action, complaint verification and public records on licence suspensions and reinstatements.
FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe asked for specific complaints to be submitted to the FDA or police and said action would follow if allegations were proven; the claims remain independently unverified.
- Who
- Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut made the allegations against Maharashtra FDA officials; FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe responded.
- What
- Raut alleged extortion, threats and bypassing of due process in licence suspensions, closing notices and licence restorations.
- When
- Raut’s letter was dated September 27 and posted on a Monday; Mundhe responded afterward.
- Where
- The allegations concern Maharashtra, including FDA offices in Bandra and Thane, with complaints reportedly coming from Nagpur, Pune, Solapur, Wardha and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
- Why
- Raut is seeking an independent inquiry and greater accountability, while Mundhe said specific complaints are needed for investigation.
Raut’s Allegations and Demands
Mundhe’s Response
Extortion allegations
Raut’s Allegations and Demands
Raut alleged that Designated Officers, Assistant Commissioners and Food Safety Officers threatened businesses with licence suspensions to extract money.
Mundhe’s Response
Mundhe said general statements did not require a response and asked that specific information be submitted to the FDA or police.
Inspection and suspension procedures
Raut’s Allegations and Demands
Raut said officials were bypassing required notice-and-hearing procedures and acting on unverified complaints, including social-media posts.
Mundhe’s Response
Mundhe did not address the individual procedural claims in his reported response but said formal complaints could be investigated.
Accountability
Raut’s Allegations and Demands
Raut demanded an independent inquiry, disciplinary action and public disclosure of reasons, dates and hearing summaries for licence decisions.
Mundhe’s Response
Mundhe said appropriate action would be taken if the allegations were found to be true; the reports do not establish that a formal investigation has begun.
- Alleged closing-notice payments
- Raut said the claimed rate rose from Rs 10,000–Rs 12,000 to Rs 75,000–Rs 2 lakh.
- Alleged Thane payment
- Raut cited an alleged Rs 17–Rs 18 lakh payment involving two Designated Officers and a suspended quick-commerce licence.
- Businesses mentioned
- Hotels, restaurants, small food vendors and quick-commerce companies.
- Locations identified
- Raut named FDA offices in Bandra and Thane and cited complaints from several Maharashtra cities.
- FDA enforcement figure
- The department said more than 850 food licences had been suspended during enforcement drives since Mundhe took charge.
- Raut’s requested measures
- He sought an independent probe, verification of complaints, disciplinary action and publication of suspension and reinstatement records.
- Mundhe’s response
- He asked that specific information be formally submitted to the FDA or police and said appropriate action would follow if allegations were established.
Sources
FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe Responds To Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut’s Extortion Allegations, Seeks Specific Complaints For Probe
Sanjay Raut alleges extortion racket within Maha FDA, demands clean up
Raut Alleges Systemic Extortion By Maharashtra FDA Officers
