The Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has suspended the licence of Ajanta Caterers, the firm operating the canteen at the Akashwani MLA hostel in Mumbai, following allegations of serving stale food.
The move came after an inspection revealed multiple violations under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and its associated regulations.
The suspension, effective Thursday, follows a incident in which Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad physically assaulted a canteen staffer, accusing the caterer of repeatedly serving substandard food.
The Buldhana legislator, from the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction, was captured on video slapping and punching an employee, prompting widespread public and political backlash.
The viral video shows Gaikwad confronting the canteen staff, allegedly forcing the employee to smell stale dal before assaulting him. Gaikwad later defended his actions, saying he had previously raised concerns about food quality multiple times but no action was taken.
"I had complained several times about the food served in the canteen but the situation remained unchanged," he said.
Reacting to the incident, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis strongly condemned the MLA's behavior, saying it sent the wrong message about lawmakers misusing their power. "There are proper channels for grievance redressal. Violence is never justified," he said.
Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena president Eknath Shinde also expressed disapproval, stating, "If there are issues, legal action can be pursued, but assaulting someone is not acceptable."