Maharashtra FDA Suspends MLA Hostel Caterers’ Licence Day After Shiv Sena Leader Assaults Staff Over Stale Food

(Photo : ANI)

A day after a video surfaced showing a Shiv Sena MLA allegedly assaulting a staff member of the Akashwani MLA hostel canteen over allegations of stale food, the Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) on Wednesday suspended the licence of Ajanta Caterers, which runs the canteen.

The FDA has directed Ajanta Caterers to stop food service operations at the hostel premises starting Thursday, after it found the caterer violating several provisions of food safety regulations during an inspection on Wednesday.

The FDA found Ajanta Caterers in violation of provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011.

This development comes after a purported video of Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad surfaced, showing him allegedly assaulting an employee at the canteen over what he claimed was "stale food."  

The video shows the Shiv Sena MLA punching a man in the face while others look on silently.

Meet Shah Sena’s MLA Sanjay Gaikwad. Last year he had threatened&announced 11 lakh rupees to anyone who cuts off Sh. Rahul Gandhi’s tongue. Now the man is seen beating up a poor helpless canteen worker. But wait no news TV outrage here since its a BJP ally pic.twitter.com/XVwnEzJFSU

— Priyanka Chaturvedi (@priyankac19) July 9, 2025

Despite mounting criticism, Gaikwad remained unapologetic and attempted to justify his actions, claiming that repeated complaints about poor food quality were ignored.  

"I have been coming to the Akashwani canteen for 30 years and staying here for 5.5 years. I have repeatedly requested that they serve good food. Eggs are 15 days old, non-veg is 15–20 days old, vegetables are 2–4 days old. Nearly 5,000–10,000 people eat here, and everyone has the same complaint. Someone finds a lizard in their food, someone finds a rat or a rope," alleged an angry Sanjay Gaikwad.

He also recounted that he placed an order for food at 10 PM on Tuesday and complained to the staff about the quality.  

"I ordered food at 10 PM yesterday, and after the first bite, I felt there was something wrong... After smelling it, I found it was stale. I went down and asked the manager who had made it. I made everyone smell the food, and all of them found it stale. I explained to them again that they should make clean and good food—eating poison-like food is a health hazard. If they still do not listen, then I have my own way of making them understand..."

He further alleged that rodents are roaming in the kitchen and action should be taken to address the problem.  

"Every year, the government receives thousands of complaints, and I don't know why they are ignored, why there is no inquiry. Rats and dirt are present in the kitchen... This should be checked, but no one seems to care. I request action so that people's health is not put at risk," he said. 

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis Reacts

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has condemned the assault of the staff member at the Akashwani MLA hostel, saying such behavior is unacceptable and not honorable for anyone.  

Chief Minister Fadnavis stressed that Gaikwad's actions as an MLA have tarnished the reputation of all legislators. He also highlighted the need for accountability among public representatives.

(With ANI inputs)