Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has rejected the extortion allegations made by Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, calling them generic and asking for proof. Responding on Tuesday, Mundhe said the claims lack concrete details and that his office has not received any formal copy of Raut's letter.

"I am really thankful to him. My only request is that if he has specific details, he should share them with me or with the Anti-Corruption Bureau, whichever agency he trusts," Mundhe said, adding that he learned of the allegations only through media reports. He assured that the FDA's complaint portal masks complainants' identities and promised confidentiality for direct disclosures.

In his letter, Raut alleged that designated officers and food safety officers were threatening hotels, restaurants and quick-commerce businesses with licence suspensions to extract payments, and claimed "closing notice" bribe rates had risen sharply after Mundhe took charge in May.

Raut also forwarded his letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis seeking an independent inquiry. The FDA says it has suspended more than 850 licences since May under its intensified enforcement campaign.