Bombay HC Directs FDA To Promptly Revoke Licence Suspensions Once Deficiencies Are Rectified

Mumbai, September 8, 2026: The Bombay High Court has instructed the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) to immediately withdraw licensing suspensions once an establishment addresses deficiencies flagged by authorities. During a hearing on August 28, Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad highlighted instances where establishments remained under suspension despite rectifying the issues.

The court observed that in numerous cases, the license was not revoked even after compliance with the pointed out deficiencies.

The court cited the Siddharth Agro case, wherein the FDA in Pune suspended their licence on July 15 after identifying several deficiencies. The state, through advocate Priyabhushan Kakade, contended that the deficiencies were still present during a re-inspection on July 29. The petitioner requested a further inspection, which the court mandated for August 31.

The justices emphasized that inaction could lead to significant consequences, including financial losses, employee hardships, and supply chain disruptions. They termed such delays as "entirely avoidable," adding that they imposed undue burden on businesses and the judicial system. The bench further noted a previous case where they had ordered a compensatory payment of Rs 5 lakh to a Pune dairy for similar inaction.

To avoid future recurrences, the court directed that once the FDA confirms, via an automated compliance report, that deficiencies have been rectified, it must "immediately revoke" any suspension or cancellation order. In the Siddharth Agro case, the July 15 suspension will automatically be lifted upon receipt of the compliance report, provided all legal procedures are adhered to.