The Bombay High Court has directed Amazon Retail India to surrender all expired and perished goods from its warehouse in Bhiwandi to the Maharashtra Food and Drug Authority for legal and scientific disposal, with the e-commerce company required to cover all associated expenses.
A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad issued the directive on Monday as a temporary arrangement while presiding over Amazon’s legal petition challenging the cancellation of its warehouse license.
Interim Inventory and Disposal Procedure
Under the interim arrangement established by the court, Amazon must compile a detailed inventory of all spoiled and expired inventory stored at the Thane district facility. The company will then transfer the items to the designated Food and Drug Authority officer, who is mandated to oversee their destruction in accordance with statutory procedures.
In addition to the disposal directive, the court ordered the regulatory agency to submit its official response affidavit regarding Amazon’s license challenge by August 27.
Origins of the Regulatory Dispute
The dispute originated after inspectors from the authority visited the Bhiwandi warehouse on June 24 and suspended its operating license the following day without first serving an improvement notice. Amazon lodged an appeal against the suspension; however, while that appeal was pending, the agency issued a show-cause notice on July 1 and subsequently cancelled the facility’s license.
Regulators took action against the facility over allegations that Amazon was releasing expired food products into the retail market rather than destroying them as required.
Judicial Observations and Enforcement Drive
The High Court had previously criticized the regulatory agency during a hearing on Friday, characterizing its enforcement approach as disproportionate and urging the body to operate through systematic administrative channels.
The proceedings against Amazon come amid a broader regulatory campaign across the state. The authority has executed multiple inspections and raids targeting commercial food establishments and prominent eateries since IAS officer Tukaram Mundhe assumed leadership of the agency in May.
