MUMBAI — The Bombay High Court on Tuesday ordered the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) to thoroughly clean five of its dining establishments at the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) ahead of a fresh regulatory inspection scheduled for Thursday. The directive follows an enforcement drive by the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which suspended the operating licences of the eateries after uncovering severe sanitation deficiencies and pest infestations during official checks.
The cricket association approached the High Court challenging the suspensions, arguing that the regulator’s decision to halt operations immediately was arbitrary and that authorities should have first issued an improvement notice to permit corrective measures. Representing the MCA, senior counsel Vikram Nankani highlighted that the complete shutdown left the facility unable to provide even basic tea and coffee services to visiting cricket players.
A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad dismissed the contention that prior notice was required in cases involving serious hygiene risks. Inspection records presented by the FDA revealed kitchens overrun with cockroaches and flies, along with unsanitary, greasy flooring. In a humorous exchange during the hearing, the bench quipped whether players were aware they were drinking non-vegetarian tea given the insect infestation, while formally granting the MCA permission to install automated vending machines to serve beverages to cricketers in the interim.
The court commended the proactive enforcement measures undertaken by food safety regulators across the state, emphasizing that maintaining food safety standards protects public welfare. However, the bench observed that regulatory enforcement must remain balanced, clarifying that once an establishment cleans its premises and rectifies all listed deficiencies, authorities ought to review the matter promptly and revoke suspensions without unnecessary administrative delays.
In addition to sanitation issues, the FDA had raised concerns that the eateries were being managed by an external contractor, M/s Shirke Infrastructure, despite the licences being held in the MCA’s name. The bench directed the food regulator to review the contractual arrangement pragmatically if permitted under existing legal frameworks. The matter has been scheduled for further hearing on August 29.
