Delhi HC lacks jurisdiction over Maharashtra FDA notice to VIMAL brand ambassadors

A Single Judge Bench of the Delhi High Court held that the mere presence of a petitioner in Delhi or location of certain authorities in the capital does not confer territorial jurisdiction when a State authority in another State has independently initiated action.

The court ruled that forums in the State where the impugned action originated would be more appropriate under the doctrine of forum conveniens. The ruling came on a petition by P.B. Agro LLP, the master licensee for VIMAL Elaichi, challenging a show-cause notice dated 11 August 2026 issued by the Food and Drug Administration, Mumbai, to brand ambassadors for alleged misrepresentation in advertisements.

The petitioner had argued that its advertising activities were managed from Delhi and that the FSSAI and Central Consumer Protection Authority, both Delhi-based, were concerned with the matter. The court rejected this contention, finding that the FDA Mumbai had independently exercised its statutory powers under Maharashtra law.