Bombay HC orders licence restoration for Navi Mumbai’s Hotel Pawan Bar and Restaurant
The Bombay High Court questioned Maharashtra FDA over the continued suspension of the restaurant’s food and liquor licences despite a compliant re-inspection, and asked the operator to quantify losses for a potential costs order.
What happened
Bombay High Court directed restoration of Hotel Pawan Bar and Restaurant’s food and liquor licences after questioning Maharashtra FDA for maintaining suspension
Key facts
- 100% compliance
- June 29 inspection
- July 6 appeal
- July 14 compliant re-inspection
- July 28 appeal hearing
- August 4 next hearing
- Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006
Why this matters
For food-service buyers and partners, the ruling highlights regulatory due diligence upside where otherwise viable assets face potentially reversible licensing disruptions.
What to watch
- Date and wording of the FDA's licence-restoration order.
- Whether the High Court awards costs, requests an affidavit from the FDA, or records adverse findings on administrative delay.
- The restaurant's reopening date and whether liquor service resumes simultaneously with food operations.
- Any FDA appeal, fresh inspection report, or subsequent notice alleging new non-compliance.
- Similar petitions by Maharashtra restaurants citing this case.
- Hotel Pawan submits quantified evidence of lost sales, wages, rent, inventory spoilage and legal expenses to support a costs request.
- Maharashtra FDA issues a formal restoration order and clarifies the status of the food and liquor licences.
- The operator completes any remaining municipal, excise or food-safety documentation needed for full reopening.
- Nearby food-service operators and trade bodies monitor the ruling for a precedent on challenging prolonged licence suspensions after rectification.