Four FDA officials, three of them in Pune, suspended over alleged lapses in action against two firms

Pune, October 31, 2026: The state government has suspended four officials of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) after alleged irregularities came to light in action taken against two companies accused of possessing banned tobacco products. Three of the four officials are from Pune and one is from Nagpur. A departmental inquiry has also been initiated against 21 other officials.

Among those suspended is Digambar Bhogavade, Joint Commissioner (Food). At the time of his suspension he was serving as Joint Commissioner of the FDA's Pune division. The other two suspended officials in Pune are Food Safety Officers Ashok Ilagar and C R Swami. The fourth official facing suspension is Yaduraj Dahatonde, Assistant Commissioner (Food), posted in Nagpur.

FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said the cases pre-date his taking charge. "I had sent the proposal in July or August itself. That is why the inquiry is on now," he said.

The alleged procedural lapses relate to action against two companies: High Street Impex LLP in Thane and SOEX India Pvt Ltd in Maval taluka.

In the High Street Impex case, the product carried the label "Not for edible use/Only for use in hookah for smoking purpose". Even so, action was initiated under food safety laws, the case states.

In the other case, the FDA raided SOEX India's premises at Takave village in Maval taluka on January 2. The role of the officials in both cases and the procedure that was followed are currently being examined.

All four suspended officials will remain under suspension until further orders.