Now Reading: Bombay High Court calls eatery’s use of banned paneer ‘poetic justice’
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Bombay High Court calls eatery’s use of banned paneer ‘poetic justice’
The Bombay High Court on Friday refused urgent relief to Udipi Swaad, a restaurant in Thane, after the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration suspended its licence for serving banned analogue paneer. The bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad, told the eatery that it must suffer first for making customers consume the product. 'This is poetic justice,' the court remarked, rejecting the restaurant's plea for an improvement notice before action.
The Maharashtra government banned the manufacture and sale of analogue or non-dairy paneer earlier this month, citing public health concerns. Analogue paneer is made from vegetable oils and additives, and is cheaper than milk-based paneer. The court noted that customers have the right to know what they are consuming, and directed the FDA to file an affidavit. The next hearing is scheduled for September 7.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Both Times of India and NDTV report the same court hearing, but NDTV provides more context on the Maharashtra government's ban on analogue paneer, including the penalty of life imprisonment and a minimum fine of Rs 10 lakh in death cases, which frames the case as part of a wider crackdown. Times of India emphasises the court's reversal of its usual criticism of the FDA, noting that the HC has previously pulled up the regulator. The measured takeaway is that the judiciary is signalling zero tolerance for food adulteration, and the September 7 hearing will clarify whether the suspension stands.
Coverage: 2 sources, 2 neutral
Sources (2): timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report), ndtv.com (neutral report)
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above. Methodology and corrections.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
