A baby cockroach running around on his dinner table prompted prominent cardiologist and Fortis Healthcare chairman Dr Ashok Seth to post a sarcastic note about JW Marriott hotel on Sunday evening. The incident has raised hygiene concerns at one of the country’s most prominent luxury hotels.
Dr Seth was dining at the five-star hotel’s Romano restaurant in Mumbai on Saturday evening when he spotted a cockroach on his table running around the dishes. ‘Roachie’ – a baby cockroach was on our table wanting to share our dinner at the Romano restaurant at JW Marriott, Sahar, Mumbai, Saturday night!!!” he posted on X on Sunday evening. “Look who came for dinner unexpectedly. “Despite our persuasion, ‘Roachie’ refused to leave. Maybe wanted pizza and not pasta,” he added. “But he (the cockroach) really took our appetite away. We left. There has been no response from JW Marriott yet on the incident. The senior cardiologist then twisted the knife. He tagged Mundhe, FSSAI and JW Marriott in his post. He has suspended licences and permits of high-profile restaurants, cafes and food outlets, flagging hygiene and food quality issues. Mundhe has exposed widespread critical failures, including cockroach and rat infestations, improper food storage temperatures, expired ingredients and inadequate sanitation at eateries.
Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has led a massive statewide food safety crackdown involving raids and inspections since taking charge in May 2026.
Dr Seth further said the sight made him lose his appetite and he left without finishing his dinner. “Thankfully we are in Mr Mundhe’s territory and he most likely will look into this also,” he wrote, ending with a reference to Food Safety Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, who has become a household name recently for his strict action against hygiene and food safety violations at restaurants, hotels and warehouses.
