Three Pune FDA Officials Including Joint Commissioner Suspended Over Alleged Irregularities in Enforcement Action

Pune, 31st October 2026: The state government has suspended three Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officers from Pune, including joint commissioner (food) Digambar Bhogawade, and one officer from Nagpur over alleged irregularities in enforcement action against two companies accused of possessing banned tobacco products. Departmental inquiries have also been initiated against 21 other officers.

Bhogawade was serving as the joint commissioner of the FDA for the Pune region at the time of his suspension. The other two suspended officers from Pune are food safety officers Ashok Ilager and C R Swami. Assistant commissioner (food) Yaduraj Dahatonde, posted in Nagpur, is the fourth officer to face suspension.

FDA commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said the cases dated back to before he took charge. “I had sent the proposal way back in July or August. That is why it is now under investigation,” he said.

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

In the case involving High Street Impex, action was initiated under food safety laws despite the product carrying a label stating, ‘Not for edible use/Only for use in hookah for smoking purpose’.

In the other case, the FDA conducted a raid at SOEX India’s premises in Takwe village of Maval taluka on January 2. The role of the officers and the procedures followed in both cases are being examined. The four suspended officers will remain under suspension until further orders.