Maharashtra FDA raids in Thane and Pune have led to the seizure of food stock worth ₹48,09,924 and an FIR against a Reliance Consumer Products director and nine other people over the alleged diversion and sale of expired, damaged and rejected food products.
The FIR was registered at Shanti Nagar police station in Thane after coordinated inspections conducted on 14 and 15 October, according to the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration. The case has been filed under relevant provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
The people named in the case include V. Subramanyam, whole-time director of Reliance Consumer Products Ltd; Ashok Kumar Singh of Reliance Consumer Products; Vijay Bhikaji Kharmale, the nominee of Reliance Retail Ltd; and Nilesh Ramdasrao Deshmukh, a warehouse manager with Reliance Retail. Senior personnel linked to Blinkit Commerce Pvt Ltd and Zomato Hyperpure Pvt Ltd have also been named, along with representatives of a disposal agency, a local supplier and retail businesses in Bhiwandi.
The FDA said the seized stock came from several locations. More than ₹24 lakh worth of products was seized from a disposal yard in Bhiwandi, while approximately ₹4.92 lakh of stock was recovered from a Reliance Consumer Products warehouse at Vadpe. A further ₹7.81 lakh worth of products was seized from a Zomato Hyperpure facility at Usatane. The report did not provide a separate value for all seized stock locations, but placed the total value at ₹48,09,924.
The initial investigation, as reported by the FDA, found that products meant to be destroyed were allegedly moved through disposal agencies, unlicensed sorting yards and intermediaries before being supplied to retailers. These products reportedly included expired, spoiled and customer-returned food items. The agency is also examining disposal certificates and records that allegedly stated the products had been destroyed.
FDA officials reportedly found discrepancies in disposal documentation, including differences in quantities and inconsistencies in consignor and consignee details. Investigators also found that products that appeared suitable for sale were allegedly separated at an unlicensed yard in Bhiwandi and sold onward to intermediaries and suppliers.
At a retail outlet in Gulzar Nagar, Bhiwandi, officials found expired and leaking food products displayed for sale. The outlet was reportedly operating without a licence or purchase invoices. The case therefore extends beyond a warehouse inspection and points to enforcement challenges across the chain connecting large retail and food-supply companies with disposal contractors, sorting facilities and informal outlets.
Seven FDA teams, comprising assistant commissioners and food safety officers, carried out the inspections in Thane and Pune. Officials prepared stock inventories, seized samples, recorded statements and directed that the products should not be moved, sold or destroyed elsewhere. Following a hearing on 15 October, licences of five establishments were suspended, while commercial activity at four unlicensed premises was stopped.
The FIR and regulatory action do not establish criminal liability against the named individuals or companies. The allegations will be examined through the investigation and subsequent legal proceedings. The immediate official measures reported by the FDA are the seizure of stock, suspension of licences, closure of unlicensed operations and restrictions on handling the seized products.
